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Saputo

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FY2021 Annual Report · Saputo
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2021
ANNUAL 
REPORT

2021 Annual Report

    
Saputo produces, markets, and distributes 
a wide array of dairy products of the utmost 
quality, including cheese, fluid milk, extended 
shelf-life milk and cream products, cultured 
products, and dairy ingredients. Saputo is one 
of the top ten dairy processors in the world, 
a leading cheese manufacturer and fluid milk 
and cream processor in Canada, the top dairy 
processor in Australia, and the second largest 
in Argentina. In the USA, Saputo ranks among 
the top three cheese producers and is one of 
the largest producers of extended shelf-life 
and cultured dairy products. In the United 
Kingdom, Saputo is the largest manufacturer 
of branded cheese and a top manufacturer 
of dairy spreads. Saputo products are sold 
in several countries under market-leading 
brands, as well as private label brands.  
Saputo Inc. is a publicly traded company  
and its shares are listed on the Toronto  
Stock Exchange under the symbol “SAP”. 
Follow Saputo’s activities at saputo.com  
or via Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

2021 Annual Report

I

    
2021 Annual Report

Financial Highlights

Fiscal years ended March 31 (in millions of CDN dollars)

FISCAL YEAR

REVENUES

ADJUSTED EBITDA*

NET EARNINGS

ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS* 
excluding amortization of intangibles 
assets related to business acquisitions

2021
2021

2020

2019

Fiscal 2021(1)

$14,293.9
$14,293.9

$14,943.5

$13,501.9

-4.3%

Since 2019 CAGR(2)

2.9%

$1,470.9
$1,470.9

$1,467.8

$1,221.3

0.2%

9.7%

$625.6
$625.6

$582.8

$755.3

7.3%

-9.0%

* See our Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

1 As compared to fiscal 2020.

2 CAGR, Compound Annual Growth Rate, is defined as the year-over-year growth rate over a specified amount of time.

$714.8
$714.8

$723.6

$655.1

-1.2%

4.5%

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021

SECTOR

# OF PLANTS(3)

# OF EMPLOYEES

% OF TOTAL REVENUES

Canada

USA

International

Europe

18

26

13

4

5,700

6,700

3,900

1,000

29%

43%

22%

6%

3  The number of plants is presented as of May 25, 2021, and excludes the acquisitions of Bute Island Foods Ltd. and the 

Reedsburg facility of Wisconsin Specialty Protein, LLC.

53%

29%

18%

RETAIL

FOODSERVICE

INDUSTRIAL

Sales are made to supermarket chains, 
mass-merchandisers, convenience stores, 
independent retailers, warehouse clubs,  
and specialty cheese boutiques under  
Saputo-owned or customer brand names.

Sales are made to broadline distributors, 
restaurants (corporate restaurant chains, 
franchisees and individually-owned),  
hotels, and institutions under  
Saputo-owned or customer brand names.

Sales are made to manufacturers who use 
our dairy ingredients, cheeses, and other 
dairy products for further processing. Our 
products are used in the preparation of food 
items, nutritional products for all stages of 
life, and for various other applications.

II

Saputo.com

Products sold in 
over 60 countries

61 plants

Approx. 17,300
employees

Saputo.com

III

2021 Annual Report

The Saputo Promise

The Saputo Promise is an integral part of our business as 

Our focus remains on the execution of our Saputo Promise 

we seek to create shared value for all our stakeholders. 

three-year plan (FY20-FY22), and the COVID-19 pandemic 

It consists of seven Pillars that form the backbone of 

didn’t slow us down. Here are key highlights for the 2021 

our approach to social, environmental, and economic 

fiscal year (FY21) as we continued to look for opportunities  

performance. Our Board of Directors oversees the governance 

to improve our performance across each of our seven Pillars.

of our Promise as well as the deployment of appropriate 

measures to manage the ESG factors material to our business. 

Our FY21 Saputo Promise Summary Report—including further details on  

our ESG performance—will be published in August 2021.

OUR 
PEOPLE

We care deeply about the health and well-

being of our employees and, in FY21, we 

sought to mitigate the financial, physical, 

and mental health impacts of the COVID-19 

pandemic on our people and celebrate their 

dedication through various initiatives. We’re 

ENVIRONMENT

Our goal is to safeguard the environment while continuing to grow 

as a world-class dairy processor. As part of this commitment, 

we pledged to accelerate our global climate, water, and waste 

(including packaging) performance by 2025, supported by a  

three-year investment of $50M (FY21-FY23). 

always striving to provide the best possible 

OUR TARGETS INCLUDE:

work environment—one that is safe, diverse, 

equitable, inclusive, and values-driven.  

Saputo was featured as #56 out of 750 

companies on Forbes’ 2020 World’s Best 

Employers list.

Percentage of women in  
senior management

1
2
0
2

0
2
0
2

21%
16% 16%

9
1
0
2

CLIMATE 
Reduce our CO2 intensity by

WATER 
Reduce our water intensity by

20%

10%

WASTE 
Packaging is reusable, recyclable  

100%

or compostable

In FY21, we completed our first allocation of funds  

for a dozen projects globally that will deliver potential  

annual savings of more than:

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate

2021

1.61*

2020

1.36

2019

1.77

* Increase mainly due to COVID-19.

60,000 
GJ of energy

8,000 
tons of CO2 

700 
million L of water 

IV

Saputo.com

 
COMMUNITY

In FY21, we upheld our commitment to give 
back one percent of our annual 
pre-tax profits to help build healthier 
communities. Furthermore, in response to 

the COVID-19 pandemic, we supported our 

communities through financial and product 
donations totalling over $10 million. 

FOOD QUALITY 
& SAFETY

In FY21, our Quality Assurance Committee  

continued to provide global governance to  

ensure our high standards were upheld  

consistently across our operations.

NUTRITION & 
HEALTHY LIVING

We progressed the development and testing of our new 
Saputo Nutrient Profiling Model, mapping out 
each of our branded products. The Model, which will be 

launched in FY22, gives us insights into the nutritional 

performance of our products, enabling us to proactively 

address any potential regulatory changes and identify 

opportunities for product reformulations.

In response to evolving consumer trends, we continued 
to adapt our product portfolio by expanding our dairy 
alternative options and reformulating certain 
products to enhance nutrition.

•  Leveraged innovation to develop a dairy alternative 

cheese with the right formulation, taste, and texture. 

•  Launched Vital+ Kids Vitamin Milk in Australia,  

enriched with vitamins for immunity, strong bones,  

and growing bodies.

BUSINESS 
ETHICS

2021
98%

2020
98%

2019
98%

Number of significant finesfor non-compliance

ZERO IN 2021

One in 2020
One in 2019

*
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*
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F
G

2021
100%

2020
100%

2019
100%

*Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)

RESPONSIBLE 
SOURCING

We celebrated the fifth anniversary of our zero-
tolerance Animal Welfare Policy and broadened 
its scope beyond dairy to include other animals used 

in meat products supplied to our foodservice and retail 

markets. We also continued to play an active role in 
promoting and supporting proper animal care 
standards, mainly through training and partnerships.

In January 2021, Saputo Inc. became a member of the 

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), and we’re 
committed to sourcing 100% RSPO-certified palm 
oil globally in 2021 and beyond. 

Saputo.com

V

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021 Annual Report

II

2021 Annual Report

A Message From Our  
Chair of the Board & CEO

Fiscal 2021 (FY21) will be remembered as a pivotal year in Saputo’s history.  

While we certainly felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our performance 

reflects the strength and resilience of our global platform. And amidst an 

atmosphere of uncertainty, we stood firm in our values and never wavered  

in our resolve to do the right thing for all our stakeholders. 

Our employees are the heartbeat of our Company and their health always comes  

first. In addition to enhancing our already robust safety protocols, we maintained 

our commitment to no layoffs due to COVID-19 and prioritized employee 

well-being with programs and initiatives designed to offer peace of mind and 

recognize the critical role our workforce plays. As an essential provider, our 

teams rallied to supply the high-quality products our communities rely on. Their 

contributions drive our business forward and reinforce the vitality of our culture 

every single day, and I can’t emphasize enough just how humbled and deeply 

grateful I am for their continued passion and dedication.  

As valued members of our extended Saputo family, we supported our patron 

farmers with additional services and resources to help alleviate the mental 

and physical impacts of the pandemic. We also worked with local community 

organizations to help those most vulnerable, 

mainly to ensure food security. To date, our 

COVID-related financial and product donations 
have reached over $10 million and counting. 

COVID-related  
community support:  
over $10M

Turning challenges into opportunities

As the severity of the pandemic and corresponding government-imposed 

restrictions evolved throughout the year, we had to contend with fluctuating  

shifts in consumer demand, impacting all our sectors to varying degrees, and 

there remains some volatility. We were able to capitalize on this upswing by 

leveraging the brand power of our retail portfolio and by engaging with our  

retail customers to tailor our offering to match rapidly-changing consumption 

patterns. In contrast, the foodservice market segment was pressured when 

temporary dining room closures were mandated. Our USA Sector was most 

impacted due to its large foodservice footprint, hampering efficiencies and  

fixed cost absorption. That said, we did see some bright spots for those 

restaurants that could accommodate food pickup and/or delivery, like our  

quick-service and pizza chain partners. On the industrial side, where volumes  

are primarily destined for export, we began to see a recovery in the second  

half of FY21 as the international markets began to reopen. 

“ While we 
certainly felt 
the effects of 
the COVID-19 
pandemic, our 
performance 
reflects the 
strength and 
resilience of  
our global 
platform.”

Lino A. Saputo
Chair Of The Board &

Chief Executive Officer

Saputo.com

VII

 
2021 Annual Report

The pandemic provided us with a licence to change.  

We sprung into action by adjusting our commercial initiatives, 

production, and supply chain. This included reviewing our 

marketing and innovation pipeline and retooling certain 

foodservice-specific production facilities to take advantage 

of the healthy retail market segment. And we kept the lines 

of communication open with our customers, offering tips and 

insights to help them adapt their businesses. We also took 

this opportunity to explore new avenues, like e-commerce. 

We successfully launched two direct-to-consumer websites, 

the first in Canada, and the second in the United Kingdom, 

and we started investing to ramp up our efforts to reach 

consumers through third-party online channels and 

customers through B2B platforms. Our learnings and the 

various initiatives we put in place will outlast the pandemic 

and they’ve already made us a more agile organization.

Staying the course

Over the years, we’ve maintained our prudence and discipline 

in all aspects, an approach that served us well in these 

unprecedented times. In FY21, our cost-containment measures 

and operations continued to generate cash, and our strong 

financial position enabled us to forge ahead with our plans  

Dividend 
increase 
in FY21

and commitments. For instance, we made 

capital investments to support our future 

growth, we increased the dividend as we’ve 

done every year since our IPO, we were—and 

remain—in acquisition mode, and we advanced 

our Saputo Promise. 

Beyond employee health and safety, reaching our environmental 

goals and intensifying our efforts relating to Diversity, Equity 

and Inclusion (DE&I) were key priorities.

We made great strides towards our 2025 environmental targets, 

allocating a portion of our three-year $50 million investment  

to complete 12 specific projects across our network, which 

should deliver notable climate, water, and waste savings. 

Our progress didn’t go unnoticed as we were awarded an 

improved score of B by CDP for our 2020 climate disclosure. 

Looking to fiscal 2022 (FY22), we’ve already started deploying 

our second round of projects and laying the groundwork for 

the upcoming launch of our new supply chain pledges to 

address environmental considerations beyond the scope of our 

operations. 

Promoting DE&I is a shared responsibility—we all need to act as 

agents of change at work and in our communities. We signed 

the Business Council of Canada’s statement denouncing racism, 

reinforcing Saputo’s zero-tolerance stance on this important 

issue. I was also honoured to join Catalyst CEO Champions for 

Change to accelerate progress for gender equality, diversity, and 

inclusion in the workplace. Among other initiatives, we expanded 

the reach of our unconscious bias training, introduced a 

permanent workplace flexibility program, and hosted meaningful 

DE&I events to encourage open and honest discussions. While 

we’ve mainly concentrated on gender so far, we’re in the process 

of revising our DE&I Policy to make it more robust and inclusive 

and we plan to extend our efforts accordingly.

In FY21, we were vocal about pursuing more dairy alternative 

opportunities to complement our current product portfolio, 

with an active focus on taking an early leadership position in 

the largely untapped alternative cheese category. To that end, 

we leveraged the R&D capabilities of our Dairy Division (UK) 

team to develop a mozzarella alternative with the right sensory 

attributes, and we’ve been successfully trialling this product with 

key foodservice partners in North America. On the beverage side, 

we supported some existing players in bringing their products 

to market through co-packing arrangements and our volumes 

continue to ramp up. 

One of the most significant developments of FY21 was the 

merge of our two former USA divisions into a single Dairy 

Division (USA). This milestone marked an important step 

towards procuring further synergies in all aspects of our USA 

platform, and we firmly believe this new streamlined structure 
will fast-track our ambitions. 

As our business evolves and grows, so too does our senior 
management team. In FY21, we welcomed Lyne Castonguay, 

an accomplished leader with extensive retail experience, as the 

new Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer for our Dairy 

Division (USA). 

VIII

Saputo.com

 
 
2021 Annual Report

Looking ahead

While the pandemic cost us a year of growth in FY21, we kept 

moving our business forward and I’m proud of the way we 

continue to weather the storm. By staying true to who we are,  

we control our destiny—and the future is looking very bright. 

Starting in FY22, we’re embarking on an exciting four-year journey 

to boost organic growth across our business. With our new Global 

Strategic Plan, we’re laser-focused on strengthening our core 

business, accelerating product innovation, increasing the value of 

our ingredients portfolio, optimizing and enhancing operations, 

and creating enablers to fuel investments. This Plan complements 

our ongoing efforts to expand our business through acquisitions, 

and we’re ready and able to seize accretive opportunities. In fact, 

we just recently completed two strategic acquisitions that are in 

line with and will contribute favourably to our new Plan, welcoming 

UK-based dairy alternative cheese player Bute Island Foods and the 

Reedsburg facility of Wisconsin Specialty Protein, LLC, specializing 

in value-added ingredients. Finally, as we did in FY21, we’ll seek 

to create shared value by making headway under each of the seven 

Pillars of our Saputo Promise.

I’m incredibly enthusiastic about our prospects and ability to  

deliver on all fronts in FY22 and beyond. With a clear roadmap for 

growth, the strength of our global team, and our solid financial 

foundations, we’re looking to build upon our track record of 

success for the long-term benefit of our shareholders, employees, 

customers, business partners, and the communities we serve.  

Many thanks for your loyal support and I look forward to sharing 

our progress with you over the coming year. 

In the upcoming year, Carl Colizza, President and 

Chief Operating Officer (North America) and Dairy 

Division (USA), who will keep overseeing our North 

American activities, will ensure a transition of the 

Division’s leadership to Lyne. We also promoted 

from within with Marcelo Cohen, a 19-year veteran 

of the Company, becoming President and Chief 

Operating Officer of our Dairy Division (Argentina). 

More recently, we announced a change in reporting 

structure with the forthcoming arrival of Leanne 

Cutts, a seasoned executive with a wealth of expertise 

in the banking, food and beverage, and consumer 

healthcare industries. Leanne will take on the newly 

created position of President and Chief Operating 

Officer (International and Europe), which, in turn, will 

allow Kai Bockmann, President and Chief Operating 

Officer, Saputo Inc., to focus on his global corporate 

and strategic functions. Together, these new additions 

enhance the deep knowledge of our core leadership 

team and will be instrumental in guiding our path to 

growth over the next several years.

Effective oversight

I want to thank my fellow Board members for their 

steady guidance as we navigated unchartered territory. 

Our Board, composed of 10 directors, 8 of whom are 

independent, is a highly engaged and experienced group 

that takes great care in its stewardship role. Considering 

the interests of all stakeholders, starting with our valued 

shareholders, our directors stay up-to-date on the latest 

trends, particularly as it relates to ESG, to ensure sound 

decision-making. For a complete overview of our corporate 

governance practices, please refer to our Management 

Information Circular dated June 3, 2021. 

Saputo.com

IX

2021 Annual Report

A Closer Look at Our  
FY21 Progress by Sector

CANADA

Our commercial teams partnered closely with our retail and foodservice customers throughout the year to help navigate COVID-

related demand volatility. We swiftly pivoted our operations, curbed discretionary spending and established site-specific labour 

contingency plans. We met consumers where they were—online—by sharing relevant content and launching  

our first B2C retail platform, offering limited shelf-life overstocked products at reduced prices. And it’s just the beginning  

of our e-commerce journey. 

We completed capacity expansions to capitalize on rising cheese demand, and the construction of our state-of-the-art fluid milk 

and dairy alternative beverage facility in Port Coquitlam, BC, is on track to be finalized by August 2021. We further optimized 

our network by completing the previously announced closures of two aging facilities, consolidating volumes into other sites. 

We gained back a major fluid account on the merits of our brand and customer service, and we achieved market share growth 

in all our key categories. We deployed significant efforts to keep growing our cheese portfolio, such as bringing several new 
products to market under our repositioned Armstrong brand, one of Canada’s top everyday cheese brands. Our new packaging, 
convenient formats, and bold new flavours resonated well with consumers and we intend to build on this momentum. 

USA

With historical activities skewed towards foodservice,  

We launched our integrated business planning process  

we dealt with significant volume imbalances as consumer 

to optimize service levels and ensure production/demand 

demand shifted. To combat the resulting inefficiencies,  

alignment, and we successfully completed ERP deployments 

we recalibrated our sales and product mix from foodservice 

in nine additional locations with minimal disruption. 

to retail, adjusting limited portions of our network to take 

Commercially, we started reaping the benefits of going  

advantage of available labour and processing capacity. 

to market with one voice, particularly with retailers.  

Nevertheless, elevated demand and COVID-related staffing 

We broadened our private label sales in various categories 

challenges hampered our ability to consistently meet some 

of our retail requirements. Our teams were quick to propose 

alternative solutions that could benefit our customers beyond 

and increased distribution of core branded products, namely 
our market-leading Frigo Cheese Heads range.  
In the foodservice and industrial market segments,  

the pandemic, like prioritizing extended shelf-life products 

we expanded key relationships and acquired new customers. 

and facilitating grab-and-go sliced cheese options for 

We also continued to invest in our network and executed 

deli counters. We also boosted online marketing efforts to 

large capital projects at select facilities to support our growth 

heighten visibility on major e-commerce and grocery delivery 

in string cheese, ultrafiltered milk, and dairy alternative 

platforms.

beverages. We successfully rolled out our first almond and 

oat beverages through co-packing arrangements, and we 

In August 2020, we merged our two former USA divisions 

laid the groundwork to seize growing cheese alternative 

to create a more agile Dairy Division (USA). We’ve begun 

opportunities in the foodservice space by trialling a product 

leveraging the best of both platforms to drive synergies 

that performs well on a pizza. 

and efficiencies under the guidance of a combined strategic 

leadership team, which was enhanced during the year.  

X

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2021 Annual Report

INTERNATIONAL

At the start of the pandemic, we shifted our focus 

The Specialty Cheese Business was fully integrated into 

domestically in both Australia and Argentina as various 

our operations and its brands continued to outperform our 

export markets went into lockdown. We began to see a 

original projections, cementing our leadership position in 

recovery in our export markets in the third quarter in line 

this category. Once Australia started coming out of lockdown 

with the gradual easing of restrictions. And although we 

in the third quarter, our foodservice activities largely 

initially had weaker export activity from our Australian 

rebounded with mozzarella as a key driver, and we further 

platform, we maintained all our existing relationships and 

developed collaborative relationships with key customers. 

added new business in the Middle East, North America, and 

Operationally, we benefited from network optimization 

throughout Asia. Meanwhile, our Dairy Division (Argentina) 

measures and a higher milk intake. Coming off historic lows, 

recorded a strong performance on the export side, even 

national milk production trended upwards due to favourable 

securing the top spot in the 2020 ranking of Latin America 

weather conditions, which boosted our patron base’s supply. 

cheese exporters. 

We also increased milk purchases from third-party brokers 

and expanded our toll manufacturing opportunities. 

In Australia, the early spike in consumer demand pressured 

our supply chain, but we quickly rallied to meet our 

In Argentina, the pandemic forced many smaller competitors 

customers’ needs. Our domestic retail volumes remained 

to exit the dairy industry and we were quick to capture 

strong throughout the year and we aggressively pursued 

additional milk volumes, resulting in healthy year-over-

commercial initiatives with an emphasis on higher-margin 

year growth. While the foodservice segment struggled due 

categories, like cheese and butter. Among others, we 

successfully repositioned and launched new products 
under our lactose-free Liddells range, which is now our 
fastest growing brand in everyday cheddar from a volume 

to the restrictions in place, our retail business recorded 
a solid performance, anchored by our popular La Paulina 
cheese brand which celebrates its 100th anniversary this 

year. Our team continued to up their game by introducing 

standpoint. After a careful and diligent review, we announced 

new flavours, formats, and innovation, supported by an 

that CHEER would be the new name for COON cheese, 

online-centric strategy. Already a highly efficient platform, 

honouring the brand affinity felt by our consumers while 

we increased cheese productivity and leveraged further 

aligning with current attitudes and perspectives. 

automation.

EUROPE

Our predominantly retail-focused UK business benefited from higher in-home consumption. We streamlined our product 
offering to maintain industry-leading service levels and capitalized on the strength of our brands. Cathedral City continued to 
capture market share, reinforcing its category-leading position. And we started leveraging its brand power abroad by bringing 

it to our North American platforms where we secured nationwide distribution with sales volumes outpacing original projections. 

Our Clover spreads brand performed well, and we launched a packaging refresh for our Vitalite brand, highlighting its plant-

based messaging. And on the e-commerce front, we built a direct-to-consumer site for our Davidstow premium cheddar 

brand. We gained new spreads and cheese listings with local retailers, both for branded and private label offerings. The UK’s 

top spray oil brand, Frylight, experienced healthy growth and we successfully integrated its production into another facility to 

drive increased efficiencies with lower overhead. Our cheese capacity at our Davidstow creamery continued to increase and we 

saw further progress in operating efficiencies across all sites. Lastly, we successfully navigated Brexit with little impact on our 

activities, and we look forward to accelerating our cheddar exports to the EU.

Saputo.com

XI

2021 Annual Report

Introducing Our New  
Global Strategic Plan (FY22-FY25)

We’re bringing our best to the table with our new Global Strategic Plan to accelerate our organic growth over  

the next four years. This plan is designed to deliver results and is complementary to our growth through  

acquisitions strategy and our commitment to the Saputo Promise.

 “ Through our new Global Strategic Plan, we’re laying the foundation for accelerated organic 

growth to complement our M&A and Saputo Promise activities. With our recent leadership 

enhancements, a united USA platform, and key COVID learnings in tow, I strongly believe we’re 

embarking on this exciting path with the right talent, structure, and strategic roadmap guiding 

our way. As our collective passion ignites our efforts, I’m confident that together we’ll emerge a 

bigger, better, and stronger Saputo.”

-  Lino A. Saputo Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer 

GROWTH TARGET 

For the four-year period ending March 31, 2025
High single-digit Adjusted EBITDA* CAGR1
to reach $2.125 billion by the end of FY25

CAPITAL INVESTMENTS (FY22-FY25)

Base 
CAPEX2

+

Strategic  
CAPEX

=

Total  
Investment  
$2.3B

CAPEX HIGHLIGHTS 

+ ~$550 million
in incremental total of capex 

spend over historical four-year 

capex spend

* See our Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

1 CAGR, Compound Annual Growth Rate, is defined as the year-over-year growth rate over a specified amount of time.

2 Base capex is inclusive of maintenance, implementation of Harmoni (ERP system), investments to support the execution of our Saputo Promise, and other corporate capex.

XII

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2021 Annual Report

Optimize  
and Enhance  
Operations

Operations-focused initiatives: 
manufacturing, supply chain,  

and logistics

• High-quality, low-cost processor

• Network and supply chain optimization

• Leverage automation

• Integrated business planning

• Toll manufacturing opportunities

USA Sector as a key driver

Create Enablers to  
Fuel Investments

•  One USA (merger of our two former  

USA divisions)

▪		Complete	merger	and	materialize	

synergies

•  Harmoni implementation  

(Enterprise Resource Planning)

▪		Complete	deployment	and	realize	

the value of our global ERP system

• Overhead cost reduction

KEY PILLARS

To achieve our growth target, we’re focusing our efforts on five key strategic pillars:

Strengthen Core  
Business

Initiatives related to our existing portfolio  

of products and brands

• Leverage the power of our brands

•  Optimize our product portfolio with a focus  

on core categories, including

▪		Snacking,	Italian-style,	and	specialty	cheeses

▪		Value-added	products,	beverages,	 

and ingredients

• International expansion

▪	Maximize	brand	penetration

▪	Retail	growth	in	key	export	markets

• E-commerce strategy

Accelerate Product  
Innovation

New additions to our portfolio of products  

and brands

• Dairy alternatives

▪		Become	a	leader	in	dairy	alternative	cheese

▪		Leverage	our	infrastructure	to	seize	 

dairy alternative beverage opportunities

•  Introduce new products, flavours, and  

formats in value-added categories

• Packaging innovation

▪		Recyclable	packaging

▪	Consumer-friendly

Increase the Value 
of Our Ingredients 
Portfolio

Ingredient-focused initiatives

• Maximize the value of our whey

▪	Bovine

▪	Goat

▪	Recipe	optimization

•  Focus on nutritionals and explore alternative  

protein offerings

• Commercial partnerships

Saputo.com

XIII

	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
/ JUNE 3, 2021

Management’s
Discussion  
& Analysis

Consolidated  
Financial  
Statements 
FY2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................

NON-IFRS MEASURES.................................................................................................................................................

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.................................................................................

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION......................................................................................................................

FINANCIAL INFORMATION..........................................................................................................................................

HIGHLIGHTS.................................................................................................................................................................

OUTLOOK......................................................................................................................................................................

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS.........................................................................................................................................

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY SECTOR............................................................................................

CANADA SECTOR....................................................................................................................................................

USA SECTOR............................................................................................................................................................

INTERNATIONAL SECTOR......................................................................................................................................

EUROPE SECTOR.....................................................................................................................................................

LIQUIDITY, FINANCIAL AND CAPITAL RESOURCES...............................................................................................

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS..................................................................................................................................

FINANCIAL POSITION..................................................................................................................................................

GUARANTEES..............................................................................................................................................................

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS............................................................................................................................

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES........................................................................................................................

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES......................................................................................................................

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES......................................................................................................................................

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES........................................................................................................

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING.............................................................................................

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF INTEREST RATE AND US CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS..........................................

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION..................................................................................................................
CONSOLIDATED ANALYSIS OF EARNINGS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2020, COMPARED TO 
MARCH 31, 2019...........................................................................................................................................................

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES............................................................................................................................

GLOSSARY...................................................................................................................................................................

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.................................................................................................................

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.................................................................................

3

3

4

5

6

8

9

12

15

18

20

23

25

27

29

30

31

31

32

33

34

38

39

39

40

41

45

47

49

58

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION

The goal of the management report is to analyze the results of, and the financial position of Saputo Inc. (we, Saputo 
or the Company), for the year ended March 31, 2021. It should be read while referring to the audited consolidated 
financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes.  The  accounting  policies  of  the  Company  are  in  accordance  with 
International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS).  All  dollar  amounts  are  in  Canadian  dollars,  unless  otherwise 
indicated. This report takes into account material elements between March 31, 2021, and June 3, 2021, the date on 
which  this  report  was  approved  by  the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors.  The  information  in  this  report  is  being 
presented as at March 31, 2021, unless otherwise specified. Additional information about the Company, including its 
Annual  Report  and  Annual  Information  Form  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2021,  can  be  obtained  on  SEDAR  at 
www.sedar.com.

NON-IFRS MEASURES

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with IFRS. However, in this Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis,  the  following  non-IFRS  measures  are  used  by  the  Company:  adjusted  EBITDA;  adjusted  net  earnings; 
adjusted  net  earnings  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions;  adjusted  net 
earnings  per  share  and  adjusted  net  earnings  per  share  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to 
business  acquisitions. These  measures  are  defined  in  the  “Glossary”  section  of  this  Management’s  Discussion  and 
Analysis. Refer to the ‘‘Non-IFRS Financial Measures’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the 
reconciliations to IFRS measures. 

Management  of  the  Company  believes  that  these  non-IFRS  measures  provide  useful  information  to  investors 
regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations as they provide key metrics of its performance. 
These non-IFRS measures are not recognized under IFRS, do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under 
IFRS and may differ from similar computations as reported by other issuers, and accordingly may not be comparable. 
These  measures  should  not  be  viewed  as  a  substitute  for  the  related  financial  information  prepared  in  accordance 
with IFRS.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 3

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This  report  contains  statements  which  are  forward-looking  statements  within  the  meaning  of  applicable  securities 
laws.  These  forward-looking  statements  include,  among  others,  statements  with  respect  to  our  objectives,  outlook, 
business  projects,  strategies,  beliefs,  expectations,  targets,  commitments,  goals,  ambitions  and  strategic  plans 
including  our  ability  to  achieve  these  targets,  commitments,  goals,  ambitions  and  strategic  plans,  and  statements 
other  than  historical  facts.  The  words  “may”,  “could”,  “should”,  “will”,  “would”,  “believe”,  “plan”,  “expect”,  “intend”, 
“anticipate”,  “estimate”,  “foresee”,  “objective”,  “continue”,  “propose”,  “aim”,  “commit”,  “assume”,  “forecast”,  “predict”, 
“seek”,  “project”,  “potential”,  “goal”  or  “target”,  or  the  negative  of  these  terms  or  variations  of  them,  the  use  of 
conditional  or  future  tense  or  words  and  expressions  of  similar  nature,  are  intended  to  identify  forward-looking 
statements.  All  statements  other  than  statements  of  historical  fact  included  in  this  report  may  constitute  forward-
looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws.

By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results 
could  differ  materially  from  those  stated,  implied  or  projected  in  such  forward-looking  statements.  As  a  result,  we 
cannot  guarantee  that  any  forward-looking  statements  will  materialize,  and  we  warn  readers  that  these  forward-
looking statements are not statements of historical fact or guarantees of future performance in any way. Assumptions, 
expectations  and  estimates  made  in  the  preparation  of  forward-looking  statements  and  risks  and  uncertainties  that 
could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations are discussed in our materials filed with the 
Canadian  securities  regulatory  authorities  from  time  to  time,  including  the  "Risks  and  Uncertainties"  section  of  the 
Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  dated  June  3,  2021,  available  on  SEDAR  under  Saputo's  profile  at  
www.sedar.com. 

Such  risks  and  uncertainties  include  the  following:  product  liability;  the  COVID-19  pandemic;  the  availability  of  raw 
materials  (including  as  a  result  of  climate  change  or  extreme  weather)  and  related  price  variations,  along  with  our 
ability to transfer those increases, if any, to our customers in competitive market conditions; the price fluctuation of 
our products in the countries in which we operate, as well as in international markets, which are based on supply and 
demand  levels  for  dairy  products;  cyber  threats  and  other  information  technology-related  risks  relating  to  business 
disruptions,  confidentiality,  data  integrity  business  and  email  compromise-related  fraud;  the  increased  competitive 
environment in the dairy industry; consolidation of clientele; supplier concentration; unanticipated business disruption; 
the economic environment; changes in environmental laws and regulations; the potential effects of climate change; 
increased focus on environmental sustainability matters; our ability to identify, attract and retain qualified individuals; 
the  failure  to  adequately  integrate  acquired  businesses  in  a  timely  and  efficient  manner;  the  failure  to  execute  our 
global  strategic  plan  as  expected;  the  failure  to  complete  capital  expenditures  as  planned;  changes  in  consumer 
trends. Our ability to achieve our environmental targets, commitments and goals is further subject to, among others, 
our ability to access and implement all technology necessary to achieve our targets, commitments and goals, as well 
as the development and performance of technology, innovation and the future use and deployment of technology and 
associated expected future results, and environmental regulation.

Forward-looking statements are based on Management’s current estimates, expectations and assumptions regarding, 
among  other  things;  the  projected  revenues  and  expenses;  the  economic,  industry,  competitive  and  regulatory 
environments in which we operate or which could affect our activities; our ability to attract and retain customers and 
consumers;  our  environmental  performance;  our  sustainability  efforts;  the  effectiveness  of  our  environmental  and 
sustainability initiatives; the availability and cost of milk and other raw materials and energy supplies; our operating 
costs; the pricing of our finished products on the various markets in which we carry on business; the effects of the 
COVID-19 pandemic; the successful execution  of  our global strategic plan; our ability to deploy capital expenditure 
projects  as  planned;  our  ability  to  correctly  predict,  identify,  and  interpret  changes  in  consumer  preferences  and 
demand,  to  offer  new  products  to  meet  those  changes,  and  to  respond  to  competitive  innovation;  our  ability  to 
leverage  our  brand  value;  our  ability  to  drive  revenue  growth  in  our  key  product  categories  or  platforms  or  add 
products  that  are  in  faster-growing  and  more  profitable  categories;  the  contribution  of  recent  acquisitions;  the 
anticipated  market  supply  and  demand  levels  for  dairy  products;  the  anticipated  warehousing,  logistical  and 
transportation  costs;  our  effective  income  tax  rate;  the  exchange  rate  of  the  Canadian  dollar  to  the  currencies  of 
cheese and dairy ingredients.

Management believes that these estimates, expectations and assumptions are reasonable as of the date hereof, and 
are  inherently  subject  to  significant  business,  economic,  competitive  and  other  uncertainties  and  contingencies 
regarding future events, including the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and are accordingly subject 
to  changes  after  such  date.  Forward-looking  statements  are  intended  to  provide  shareholders  with  information 
regarding Saputo, including our assessment of future financial plans, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. 
Undue  importance  should  not  be  placed  on  forward-looking  statements,  and  the  information  contained  in  such 
forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as of any other date.

All  forward-looking  statements  included  herein  speak  only  as  of  the  date  hereof  or  as  of  the  specific  date  of  such 
forward-looking statements. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Saputo does not undertake to 
update or revise forward-looking statements, whether written or verbal, that may be made from time to time by itself 
or on our behalf, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements 
contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 4

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Years ended March 31
(in millions of CDN dollars, except per share amounts and ratios)

Revenues

Adjusted EBITDA*

Margin**

Net earnings

Basic per share

Diluted per share

Margin**

Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible assets 
    related to business acquisitions*

Basic per share
Diluted per share

Margin**

OTHER PER SHARE DATA

Dividends 

Book value

FINANCIAL POSITION DATA

Working capital**

Total assets

Net debt**

Total non-current financial liabilities

Equity

FINANCIAL RATIOS

Net debt / Equity

Net debt to adjusted EBITDA**

Adjusted return on average equity**

2021

2020

2019

14,293.9 

14,943.5 

13,501.9 

1,470.9 

1,467.8 

1,221.3 

 10.3 %

 9.8 %

 9.0 %

625.6 

1.53 

1.52 

582.8 

1.46 

1.45 

755.3 

1.94 

1.93 

 4.4 %

 3.9 %

 5.6 %

714.8 

1.74 
1.74 

723.6 

1.81 
1.80 

655.1 

1.69 
1.67 

 5.0 %

 4.8 %

 4.9 %

0.70 

15.63 

0.68 

16.05 

0.66 

13.89 

1,801.6 

13,122.8 

3,805.7 

3,666.6 

6,444.0 

1,575.5 

13,793.1 

4,166.2 

3,889.5 

6,559.1 

1,201.3 

9,885.6 

2,285.0 

1,943.9 

5,420.5 

0.59 

2.59 

 10.5 %

0.64 

2.84 

 12.3 %

0.42 

1.87 

 14.2 %

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS DATA

Net cash generated from operations

Amount of additions to property, plant and equipment,                                     

intangible assets, net of proceeds on disposal

Business acquisitions

Proceeds on divestiture

1,078.1 

1,036.9 

884.5 

387.4 

— 

— 

565.3 

1,929.6 

— 

274.2 

1,471.7 

(239.7) 

Payment of dividends*** (Net of dividends paid through DRIP of $80.3 million in 

fiscal 2021)

204.6 

269.7 

254.6 

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
***  Effective as of the dividend paid on July 9, 2020, a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) was implemented.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(in millions of CDN dollars)

STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

Revenues

Canada

USA

International

Europe

Operating costs excluding depreciation,  amortization,  

inventory revaluation resulting from a business 
acquisition, and restructuring costs

Canada

USA

International

Europe

Adjusted EBITDA*

Canada

USA

International

Europe

For the three-month periods 
ended March 31

For the years 
ended March 31

2021

2020

2021

2020

1,000.8 

1,399.2 

827.3 

210.7 

3,438.0 

893.4 

1,305.5 

765.0 

171.3 

3,135.2 

107.4 

93.7 

62.3 

39.4 

302.8 

960.1 

1,694.8 

832.4 

231.4 

4,134.9 

6,121.8 

3,221.4 

815.8 

4,007.3 

7,093.6 

3,076.7 

765.9 

3,718.7 

14,293.9 

14,943.5 

869.1 

1,600.5 

765.9 

184.8 

3,688.0 

5,554.5 

2,916.4 

664.1 

3,602.9 

6,478.2 

2,771.8 

622.8 

3,420.3 

12,823.0 

13,475.7 

91.0 

94.3 

66.5 

46.6 

446.9 

567.3 

305.0 

151.7 

404.4 

615.4 

304.9 

143.1 

298.4 

1,470.9 

1,467.8 

Adjusted EBITDA margin**

 8.8 %

 8.0 %

 10.3 %

 9.8 %

Depreciation and amortization

Canada

USA

International

Europe

Impairment of intangible assets
Inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition

Acquisition and restructuring costs

Financial charges

Earnings before incomes taxes

Income taxes

Net earnings

Net earnings margin**

26.5 

51.2 

29.8 

27.3 

134.8 

— 
— 

3.0 

23.3 

141.7 

23.4 

46.2 

28.1 

30.1 

127.8 

— 
— 

13.8 

25.4 

131.4 

38.6 

103.1 

 3.0 %

42.7 

88.7 

 2.4 %

98.9 

199.9 

111.7 

104.5 

515.0 

19.0 
— 

(3.2) 

96.7 

843.4 

217.8 

625.6 

91.9 

174.2 

107.8 

93.3 

467.2 

— 
40.1 

46.0 

115.2 

799.3 

216.5 

582.8 

 4.4 %

 3.9 %

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions of CDN dollars, except per share amounts and ratios)

For the three-month periods 
ended March 31

For the years
ended March 31

2021

2020

2021

2020

Net earnings
Impairment of intangible assets1
Inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition1
Acquisition and restructuring costs1
Adjusted net earnings*

Margin**

Amortization of intangible assets related to business 

acquisitions1

Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible 

assets related to business acquisitions*

Margin**

103.1 

— 

— 

2.2 

105.3 

 3.1 %

88.7 

— 

— 

10.1 

98.8 

625.6 

19.0 

— 

(2.4) 

642.2 

582.8 

— 

32.5 

38.4 

653.7 

 2.7 %

 4.5 %

 4.4 %

18.4 

17.7 

72.6 

69.9 

123.7 

 3.6 %

116.5 

 3.1 %

714.8 

 5.0 %

723.6 

 4.8 %

PER SHARE DATA

Net earnings per share

Diluted net earnings per share

Adjusted net earnings per share*

Adjusted diluted net earnings per share*

Adjusted net earnings per share excluding amortization of 
intangible assets related to business acquisitions*

Adjusted diluted net earnings per share excluding amortization 
of intangible assets related to business acquisitions*

0.25 

0.25 

0.26 

0.25 

0.30 

0.30 

0.22 

0.22 

0.24 

0.24 

0.29 

0.28 

1.53 

1.52 

1.57 

1.56 

1.74 

1.74 

1.46 

1.45 

1.63 

1.62 

1.81 

1.80 

1  Net of income taxes.
*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HIGHLIGHTS

Fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 

• Revenues amounted to $3.438 billion, a decrease of $280.7 million or 7.5%.
• Adjusted EBITDA* amounted to $302.8 million, up $4.4 million or 1.5%.
• Net earnings totalled $103.1 million and EPS** (basic and diluted) were $0.25, as compared to $88.7 million and 

EPS (basic and diluted) of $0.22. 

• Adjusted  net  earnings  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions*  totalled 
$123.7  million,  as  compared  to  $116.5  million,  and  the  corresponding  EPS**  (basic  and  diluted)  were  $0.30,  as 
compared to $0.29 and $0.28.  

• Net cash generated from operations amounted to $150.3 million, down $144.9 million or 49.1%.
• A decrease in international cheese and dairy ingredient market prices negatively affected revenues and adjusted 

EBITDA.

• USA Market Factors** negatively impacted adjusted EBITDA by approximately $4 million. 
• The  shift  in  consumer  demand  due  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic  continued  to  impact  all  of  our  sectors  to  varying 
degrees. Sales volumes were lower in the foodservice and retail market segments, partially offset by higher sales 
volumes  in  the  industrial  market  segment,  which  negatively  impacted  revenues  and  adjusted  EBITDA. 
Comparatively, in the last two weeks of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the pandemic had caused a surge in retail 
market segment sales volumes while negatively impacting adjusted EBITDA, including an amount of $44.8 million 
comprised of a loss from unsellable inventory and an inventory write-down resulting from the decrease in certain 
market selling prices in North America. 

Fiscal 2021 

• Revenues amounted to $14.294 billion, a decrease of $649.6 million or 4.3%. 
• Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $1.471 billion, up $3.1 million or 0.2%.
• Net  earnings  totalled  $625.6  million  and  EPS  (basic  and  diluted)  were  $1.53  and  $1.52,  as  compared  to 

$582.8 million and EPS (basic and diluted) of $1.46 and $1.45.

• Adjusted  net  earnings  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions  totalled 
$714.8  million,  as  compared  to  $723.6  million,  and  the  corresponding  EPS**  (basic  and  diluted)  were  $1.74,  as 
compared to $1.81 and $1.80.

• Net cash generated from operations totalled $1.078 billion, up $41.2 million or 4.0%.
• USA Market Factors positively impacted adjusted EBITDA by approximately $57 million.
• A decrease in international cheese and dairy ingredient market prices negatively affected revenues and adjusted 

EBITDA.

• The contributions from the acquisitions of Lion Dairy & Drinks Pty Ltd (Specialty Cheese Business Acquisition) and  
Dairy  Crest  Group  plc  (Dairy  Crest Acquisition)  for  the  full  fiscal  year  positively  impacted  revenues  and  adjusted 
EBITDA.

• The  shift  in  consumer  demand  relative  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  which  began  to  negatively  affect  adjusted 

EBITDA late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 continued to negatively affect fiscal 2021 results. 

• Lower  sales  volumes  in  the  foodservice  market  segment,  mostly  in  the  USA  Sector,  affected  efficiencies  and  the 
absorption  of  fixed  costs.  This  decrease  was  partially  offset  by  higher  sales  volumes  in  the  retail  and  industrial 
market segments. 

• The  Board  of  Directors  approved  a  dividend  of  $0.175  per  share  payable  on  June  25,  2021,  to  common 

shareholders of record on June 16, 2021.

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 8

OUTLOOK

COVID-19 Pandemic 
As an essential provider, we will continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic by maintaining our focus on 
our key priorities:

•
•
•
•

safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of our employees;
adapting commercial initiatives, production, and supply chain to consumer demand;
supporting customers with insights to adapt their offerings and address changing needs; and
supporting communities through donations and financial support.

Current Market Conditions
The  COVID-19  pandemic  continues  to  disrupt  global  economic  conditions,  commodity  pricing,  consumer  demand, 
supply chains and business productivity. 

Factors that are currently impacting Saputo’s performance, or that could in the future, include:

•

•

•

•
•

The overall economy that continues to perform below pre-pandemic levels, although we are seeing signs of
recovery in certain regions where we operate and sell our products;
Ongoing (but varied) public health-driven restrictions globally that depress demand levels in the foodservice
market  segment.  As  vaccination  levels  increase,  it  is  expected  that  consumer  mobility,  and  therefore
foodservice demand will begin to recover. The rate of recovery is currently unknown;
Higher  input  costs.  We  are  expecting  higher  transportation  costs  and  sustained  high  commodity  prices,
which have been rising since early in calendar 2021;
Volatility in the dairy commodities market, albeit at more moderate levels compared to fiscal 2021;
Fluctuations in international cheese and dairy ingredient market prices.

All  of  these  factors  will  have  an  impact  on  our  financial  performance  in  fiscal  2022,  and  it  remains  impossible  to 
estimate the magnitude of such impact, either positive or negative, at this time.

Saputo is Focused on “Controlling the Controllables” and Moving its Business Forward
We  continue  to  work  closely  with  customers  in  the  foodservice  market  segment  to  develop  innovative  product 
offerings  adapted  to  new  consumer  trends,  such  as  take-out  for  in-home  dining,  which  are  expected  to  outlast  the 
pandemic. In the near term, sales in the foodservice and industrial market segments will continue to be impacted as 
long as government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions remain in place and in flux.

In the industrial market segment, volumes destined for export markets began to recover during the second half of 
fiscal  2021.  Revenues  are  expected  to  continue  to  increase,  however  the  pace  and  timing  of  the  recovery  to  pre-
pandemic levels will be variable and depend on the export market. 

The retail market segment continues to perform well. The shift in consumer demand during the pandemic benefited 
this segment and we expect sales will continue to perform well compared to pre-pandemic levels.

This past year, we demonstrated our ability to pivot our operations to new circumstances while staying on course with 
strategic  investments  aimed  at  fueling  growth.  We  will  remain  agile  and  flexible,  from  both  a  commercial  and  a 
production perspective, to adjust to further changes in consumer demand and to the expected recovery in foodservice 
market segment demand. We believe we have a strong foundation to build on, which will support our growth plans.

Our Growth Strategy 
We  have  a  well-defined  strategy  based  on  a  three-pronged  approach  comprised  of  organic  growth,  strategic 
acquisitions and our Saputo Promise. 

Saputo’s  steady  operational  cash  generation  and  low  debt  position  provide  a  solid  financial  foundation  and  ample 
flexibility to support our growth.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 9

Organic Growth 

Our new four-year Global Strategic Plan is designed to deliver accelerated organic growth across all our platforms. 
We are targeting high single-digit Adjusted EBITDA* CAGR1  over the four-year period to reach $2.125 billion by 
the end of fiscal 2025. 

To  boost  organic  growth,  this  Plan  is  based  on  five  key  pillars:  Strengthen  core  business,  Accelerate  product 
innovation, Increase the value of ingredients portfolio, Optimize and enhance operations, and Create enablers to fuel 
investments.

Under  strengthen  our  core  business,  we  are  leveraging  the  power  of  our  brands,  both 
domestically and across geographies, and optimizing our existing product portfolio with a focus 
on  core  categories,  including  snacking,  Italian-style,  and  specialty  cheeses  as  well  as  value-
added  products,  beverages,  and  ingredients.  With  the  rise  in  online  consumer  behaviour 
expected  to  outlast  the  pandemic,  we  are  also  building  upon  the  e-commerce  initiatives  we 
launched in fiscal 2021, from a direct-to-consumer, B2B, and B2B2C standpoint.

We plan on accelerating product innovation by expanding our presence in dairy alternatives 
as a strategic priority. We intend to take an early and active leadership position in the alternative 
cheese  category,  while  also  leveraging  our  network  to  seize  opportunities  on  the  alternative 
beverage  side  through  co-packing  arrangements.  These  initiatives  complement  our  extensive 
value-added  dairy  portfolio,  which  we  are  looking  to  enhance  with  the  introduction  of  new 
formats,  flavours,  and  packaging  that  is  recyclable  and  consumer-friendly.  We  are  planning  to 
leverage our e-commerce strategy to support our innovation efforts.

To  increase  the  value  of  our  ingredients  portfolio  we  will  deploy  efforts  to  maximize  the 
value  of  our  whey,  optimize  key  recipes  to  differentiate  our  offering  to  the  market,  and  solidify 
and  establish  commercial  relationships.  We  are  also  emphasizing  our  focus  on  nutritional 
ingredients, which garner a premium, as well as exploring alternative protein offerings.

As  part  of  optimizing  and  enhancing  operations,  we  will  undertake  specific  operations-
focused initiatives in our manufacturing, supply chain and logistics activities. As a high-quality, 
low-cost  processor,  we  always  seek  to  be  as  efficient  as  possible,  and,  to  that  end,  we  are 
focusing our efforts on increasing automation and sharpening our integrated business planning 
for  optimal  sales  and  production  planning.  Also,  as  part  of  the  continual  review  of  our 
operations,  we  look  for  ways  to  optimize  our  network  and  supply  chain  on  an  ongoing  basis, 
rightsizing  where  possible  and  making  the  necessary  capital  investments  to  modernize  and/or 
increase  capacity  where  needed.  Toll  manufacturing  is  an  option  we  have  utilized  in  recent 
years and believe we can further benefit from moving forward.

Our  final  strategic  pillar,  create  enablers  to  fuel  investments,  comprises  initiatives,  some  of 
which are ongoing, that will allow us to materialize synergies and reduce overhead costs. Such 
initiatives  include  the  completion  of  the  merger  of  our  two  USA  divisions  into  “One  USA”  from 
which  we  expect  to  materialize  synergies  thanks  to  a  more  agile  platform.  Also,  once  fully 
deployed, we anticipate that we will reap the benefits from the implementation of our global ERP 
system, known as the Harmoni project, maximizing its full potential. 

Building  on  the  successes  derived  from  our  strategic  approach  to  capital  expenditures  to  fuel  organic  growth,  our 
Global  Strategic  Plan  includes planned  investments  of  $2.3  billion,  comprised  of  both  base  and  strategic  capital 
projects. Although the planned capital expenditures are above the historical trend of the last four years, we intend to 
maintain  our  usual  approach  to  invest  in  our  assets  to  a  level  which  is  similar  to  our  depreciation  and 
amortization expense.

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
1

CAGR, Compound Annual Growth Rate is defined at the year-over-year growth rate over a specified amount of time.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 10

Strategic Acquisitions 

We  remain  very  bullish  about  dairy  products  and  acquisition  prospects  in  this  space,  and  we  intend  to  further 
accelerate our growth through strategic and accretive acquisitions based on our disciplined approach. 

Areas of focus include:
Cheese;
Value-added ingredients;
USA retail; and
Dairy alternative products.

•
•
•
•

Our  key  regions  of  interest  include  areas  we  operate  in  as  well  as  regions  that  would  expand  our  geographical 
footprint, such as Northern and Western Europe.

We recently completed the acquisition of Bute Island Foods Ltd. an innovative manufacturer, marketer and distributor 
of a variety of dairy alternative cheese products for both the retail and foodservice market segments under the award-
winning vegan Sheese brand, alongside private label brands. The business is located on the Isle of Bute, off the West 
Coast of Scotland (United Kingdom) and employs approximately 180 people, including its founders. Additionally, we 
acquired  the  Reedsburg  facility  of  Wisconsin  Specialty  Protein,  LLC  located  in  Wisconsin  (USA).  This  facility 
manufactures  value-added  ingredients  such  as  goat  whey,  organic  lactose  and  other  dairy  powders  and  it  employs 
approximately 40 people.  These two strategic acquisitions are in line with and will contribute favourably to our new 
Global Strategic Plan.

The Saputo Promise 

The Saputo Promise, our approach to social, environmental, and economic performance, supports our strategic plans 
and allows us to pursue growth and create shared value for all stakeholders, ensuring the long-term sustainability of 
our business. 

Fiscal 2022 marks the final year of our Saputo Promise three-year plan and we have begun preparations for the next 
phase  as  we  remain  steadfast  in  our  commitment  to  delivering  on  our  environmental,  social  and  governance 
(ESG) objectives. 

Health  and  Safety  (H&S)  and  Diversity,  Equity  and  Inclusion  (DE&I)  are  key  areas  of  focus.  Building  on  our 
strong safety environment, we continue to intensify our efforts relating to Goal Zero, our approach to H&S based on 
driving a culture  where  our  people  are  an  integral  part  of  the  solution.  We  reinforced  our  commitment  to  DE&I  by 
signing  the  Business  Council  of  Canada's  statement  denouncing  racism,  a  pledge  that  aligns  with  Saputo's  zero-
tolerance  stance  on  this  important  issue,  and  by  joining  Catalyst  CEO  Champions  for  Change  to  accelerate 
progress  for  gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

In  fiscal  2020,  we  pledged  to  accelerate  our  global  climate,  water,  and  waste  (including  packaging)  performance 
by  2025  and  announced  clear  targets  and  a  formal  commitment  to  allocate  additional  resources,  including  a  three-
year  investment  of  $50  million.  Having  completed  our  first  round  of  global  projects  in  fiscal  2021,  which  are 
expected  to deliver estimated annual savings of more than 60,000 GJ of energy, 8,000 tons of CO2, and 700 million L 
of water, we are now allocating funds for fiscal 2022. As planned, we are also preparing to extend our efforts to our 
supply  chain  to  help  address  industry-wide  environmental  considerations.  Our  objective  is  to  launch  our  supply 
chain  pledges  later this fiscal year. 

We  remain  committed  to  giving  back  one  percent  of  our  annual  pre-tax  profits  each  year  to  help  build 
healthier communities where we operate. Over and above this commitment, since the onset of the pandemic, Saputo 
has  been  supporting  communities  through  product  donations  to  food  banks,  with  ongoing  financial  and  in-kind 
contributions reaching over $10 million to date. 

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
As  we  continue  with  our  Harmoni  project,  the  rollout  within  the  remainder  of  our  Dairy  Division  (Australia)  and 
the subsequent phases of the implementation within the Dairy Division (USA) are expected to be completed by the 
end of fiscal  2022.  In  the  Dairy  Division  (Canada),  we  initiated  the  planning  of  the  ERP  rollout  during  fiscal  2021 
and  we expect  to  complete  the  implementation  in  phases  by  the  end  of  fiscal  2024.  We  may  re-plan  deployment 
activities based on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Striking the Right Balance Between Operating Responsibly and Pursuing Growth 
Overall, we are focused on managing through the current challenges to emerge an even stronger partner to Saputo’s 
customers, and a stronger Company for our shareholders and other stakeholders. Profitability enhancement and 
stakeholder value creation remain the cornerstones of Saputo’s objectives.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 11

CONSOLIDATED  RESULTS  FOR  THE  FOURTH  QUARTER  AND  FISCAL  YEAR 
ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 

We report our business under four sectors: Canada, USA, International, and Europe. The Canada Sector consists of 
the Dairy Division (Canada), the USA Sector consists of the Dairy Division (USA), the International Sector consists of 
the Dairy Division (Australia) and the Dairy Division (Argentina), and the Europe Sector consists of the Dairy Division 
(UK). We sell our products in three different market segments: retail, foodservice, and industrial. 

Revenues

Revenues  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021  totalled  $3.438  billion,  a  decrease  of  $280.7  million  or  7.5%,  as 
compared to $3.719 billion for the same quarter last fiscal year.

Since  late  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2020,  we  have  experienced  the  shift  in  consumer  demand  caused  by  the 
COVID-19  pandemic,  which  was  declared  in  March  2020.  Orders  from  customers  in  the  foodservice  and  industrial 
market  segments  began  to  decrease  while  an  increase  was  felt  in  the  retail  market  segment.  While  the  impact  on 
revenues  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2020  was  not  significant,  revenues  were  negatively  impacted  in  the  fourth 
quarter of fiscal 2021. 

Overall  sales  volumes  in  the  quarter  were  lower  compared  to  the  same  period  last  fiscal  year  as  a  result  of  lower 
sales volumes in the foodservice and retail market segments, although we benefited from increased sales volumes in 
the industrial market segment. The decrease in revenues was mainly in the USA Sector, due to the large proportion of 
its foodservice activities. During the quarter, export sales volumes were higher despite ongoing government-imposed 
restrictions,  to  varying  degrees,  in  our  different  export  markets.  Late  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2020,  our  retail 
market segment sales volumes had surged in connection with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The combined effect of the lower average block market price** and the lower average butter market price** negatively 
impacted revenues by approximately $107 million. Revenues also decreased due to lower international cheese and 
dairy ingredient market prices, although they have begun to improve since the third quarter of fiscal 2021. However, 
revenues  were  positively  impacted  by  higher  domestic  selling  prices  in  the  Canada  Sector,  which  increased  due  to 
the higher cost of milk as raw material. 

The  combined  effect  of  the  fluctuation  of  the Australian  dollar  and  the Argentine  peso  versus  the  US  dollar  in  the 
export markets negatively impacted revenues. Finally, the fluctuation of foreign currencies versus the Canadian dollar 
decreased revenues by approximately $125 million.

Revenues  in  fiscal  2021  totalled  $14.294  billion,  a  decrease  of  $649.6  million  or  4.3%,  as  compared  to 
$14.944 billion last fiscal year. 

The global shift in consumer demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted sales volumes in the 
foodservice  market  segment,  mostly  in  the  USA  Sector,  although  partially  offset  by  increased  sales  volumes  in  the 
retail and industrial market segments. Additional sales volumes in our export markets  positively impacted  revenues 
despite varying government-imposed restrictions throughout the fiscal year.

Lower international cheese and dairy ingredient market prices negatively impacted revenues, despite the favourable 
net  impact  of  the  fluctuation  of  the  Argentine  peso  and  the  Australian  dollar  versus  the  US  dollar  in  the  export 
markets. The  combined  effect  of  the  lower  average  butter  market  price  and  the  higher  average  block  market  price 
also  decreased  revenues  by  approximately  $114  million.  However,  higher  domestic  selling  prices  in  the  Canada 
Sector  and  the  International  Sector,  which  increased  due  to  the  higher  cost  of  milk  as  raw  material,  positively 
impacted revenues. 

The  contributions  of  the  Specialty  Cheese  Business  Acquisition  in  the  International  Sector  and  the  Dairy  Crest 
Acquisition in the Europe Sector for the full fiscal year, as compared to partial contributions last fiscal year, positively 
impacted revenues.

Lastly,  the  fluctuation  of  foreign  currencies  versus  the  Canadian  dollar  decreased  revenues  by  approximately  $183 
million.

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 12

Adjusted EBITDA*

Selected factors positively (negatively) affecting financial performance
(in millions of CDN dollars)

USA Market Factors*,1
Inventory write-down
Foreign currency exchange1,2

For the three-month periods 
ended March 31

For the years 
ended March 31

2021

(4)   

—   

(2)   

2020

(8)   

(18)   

(3)   

2021

57   

—   

(2)   

2020

8 

(18) 

(36) 

Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

*
1  As compared to same quarter last fiscal year for the three-month periods; as compared to last fiscal year for the years ended March 31.
2 

Foreign  currency  exchange  includes  effect  on  adjusted  EBITDA  of  conversion  of  US  dollars,  Australian  dollars,  British  pounds  sterling  and 
Argentine pesos to Canadian dollars.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 totalled $302.8 million, an increase of $4.4 million or 1.5%, as 
compared to $298.4 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. 

The  unfavourable  relation  between  international  cheese  and  dairy  ingredient  market  prices  and  the  cost  of  milk  as 
raw material negatively impacted adjusted EBITDA. Also, in a volatile dairy commodity market, USA Market Factors** 
had a negative effect on adjusted EBITDA of approximately $4 million.

Sales  volumes  were  lower  in  the  retail  and  foodservice  market  segments,  although  partially  offset  by  higher  sales 
volumes in the industrial market segment, impacting efficiencies and the absorption of fixed costs, particularly in the 
USA Sector. 

During  the  last  two  weeks  of  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2020,  the  COVID-19  pandemic  had  a  negative  impact  on 
adjusted  EBITDA  caused  by  the  shift  in  consumer  demand,  mainly  in  North America,  which  included  an  amount  of 
$26.9 million comprised of a loss from unsellable inventory destined to foodservice customers and other expenses in 
the Canada and USA Sectors as well as an inventory write-down of $17.9 million as a result of the decrease in certain 
market selling prices in the USA Sector. 

Finally, the effect of foreign currency fluctuations versus the Canadian dollar had an unfavourable impact on adjusted 
EBITDA of approximately $2 million.  

Adjusted  EBITDA  in  fiscal  2021  totalled  $1.471  billion,  an  increase  of  $3.1  million  or  0.2%,  as  compared  to 
$1.468 billion last fiscal year. 

The  unfavourable  relation  between  international  cheese  and  dairy  ingredient  market  prices  and  the  cost  of  milk  as 
raw  material  had  a  negative  impact  on  adjusted  EBITDA.  In  an  extremely  volatile  dairy  commodity  market,  USA 
Market Factors had a positive impact on adjusted EBITDA of approximately $57 million. 

The contributions of the Specialty Cheese Business Acquisition and the Dairy Crest Acquisition for the full fiscal year, 
as compared to partial contributions last fiscal year, increased adjusted EBITDA. 

Lower administrative costs positively impacted adjusted EBITDA, with the continued ban on non-essential business 
travel,  the  reduction  of  promotional  activity  and  other  initiatives  in  the  context  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  which 
mitigated the negative impacts on adjusted EBITDA of higher operational costs, including those related to additional 
supplies of personal protective equipment for employees and unproductive labour. 

As described above, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected adjusted EBITDA late in the fourth quarter of last 
fiscal  year.  In  fiscal  2021,  overall  lower  sales  volumes  negatively  impacted  efficiencies  and  the  absorption  of  fixed 
costs, particularly in the USA Sector.

The  effect  of  foreign  currency  fluctuations  versus  the  Canadian  dollar  had  an  unfavourable  impact  on  adjusted 
EBITDA of approximately $2 million. 

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 13

 
 
 
Operating costs excluding depreciation, amortization, inventory revaluation resulting 
from a business acquisition, and restructuring costs

Operating costs excluding depreciation, amortization, inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition, and 
restructuring costs for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 totalled $3.135 billion, a decrease of $285.1 million or 8.3%, 
as compared to $3.420 billion for the same quarter last fiscal year. The decrease was consistent with lower revenues, 
as  described  above,  and  dairy  commodity  market  volatility,  which,  together,  contributed  to  the  lower  cost  of  raw 
materials and consumables used. Employee salary and benefit expenses increased due to wage increases.

Operating costs excluding depreciation, amortization, inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition, and 
restructuring  costs  in  fiscal  2021  totalled  $12.823  billion,  a  decrease  of  $652.7  million  or  4.8%,  as  compared  to 
$13.476  billion  for  last  fiscal  year.  The  decrease  was  consistent  with  lower  revenues,  as  described  above,  and 
extreme  dairy  commodity  market  volatility,  which,  together,  contributed  to  the  lower  cost  of  raw  materials  and 
consumables used. Employee salary and benefit expenses increased due to wage increases and the contributions of 
the  Specialty  Cheese  Business Acquisition  and  the  Dairy  Crest Acquisition  for  the  full  year,  as  compared  to  partial 
contributions last fiscal year. 

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation  and  amortization  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021  totalled  $134.8  million,  an  increase  of 
$7.0  million,  as  compared  to  $127.8  million  for  the  same  quarter  last  fiscal  year.  In  fiscal  2021,  depreciation  and 
amortization expenses amounted to $515.0 million, an increase of $47.8 million, as compared to $467.2 million last 
fiscal  year.  These  increases  were  mainly  attributable  to  additional  depreciation  and  amortization  related  to  recent 
acquisitions, as well as additions to property, plant and equipment, which increased the depreciable base. 

Impairment of intangible assets

During  the  first  quarter  of  fiscal  2021,  an  impairment  of  intangible  assets  charge  of $19.0  million  was  incurred  in 
relation  to  our  decision  to  retire  the  COON  cheese  brand  name  from  our  Australian  portfolio  as  part  of  our 
commitment to share in the responsibility to eliminate racism in all its forms.

Inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition 

During fiscal 2021, inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition was nil and in fiscal 2020 amounted to 
$40.1  million.  This  revaluation  relating  to  the  Dairy  Crest  Acquisition  stemmed  from  added  value  attributed  to  the 
acquired inventory as part of the purchase price allocation and was fully amortized during fiscal 2020.

Acquisition and restructuring costs

Acquisition  and  restructuring  costs  for  the fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021  amounted  to  $3.0  million  which  related  to 
stamp duty taxes from a previous acquisition, as compared to $13.8 million for the same quarter last fiscal year, which 
included  severance  and  closure  costs,  and  impairment  charges  for  property,  plant  and  equipment  relating  to  plant 
closures.

Acquisition and restructuring costs in fiscal 2021 amounted to a net gain  of $3.2 million, including a gain on disposal 
of assets of $6.2 million ($4.6 million after tax) relating to the sale of a facility in the Canada Sector and additional 
costs  from  a  previous  acquisition,  as  compared  to $46.0  million  for  fiscal  2020,  incurred  mainly  for  the  Dairy  Crest 
Acquisition and the Specialty Cheese Business Acquisition. 

Financial charges

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, financial charges totalled $23.3 million, a decrease of $2.1 million or 8.3%, as 
compared to $25.4 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. This includes a decrease in interest expense of $8.1 
million, mainly attributable to lower interest rates and a lower debt level, and a decreased gain on hyperinflation of 
$6.0 million derived from the indexation of non-monetary assets and liabilities. 

In  fiscal  2021,  financial  charges  amounted  to $96.7  million,  a  decrease  of  $18.5  million  or  16.1%,  as  compared  to 
$115.2 million last fiscal year. This includes a decrease in interest expense of $29.2 million, mainly attributable to a 
lower debt level, lower interest rates, and a decreased gain on hyperinflation of $10.7 million.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 14

Income tax expense

In  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021,  income  tax  expense  totalled  $38.6  million,  reflecting  an  effective  tax  rate  of 
27.2% as compared to 32.5% for the same quarter last fiscal year. Income taxes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 
included the impact of the change in the geographic mix of quarterly earnings across the various USA states in which 
we  operate  and  the  related  increase  of  deferred  tax  liabilities.  Income  tax  expense  also  reflected  the  favourable 
impact  from  a  tax  inflation  adjustment  in Argentina.  Income  taxes  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2020  included  the 
increase of the deferred income tax liabilities resulting from the effect of the 2% corporate income tax rate increase in 
the  United  Kingdom,  as  well  as  the  favourable  impacts  from  hyperinflation  in Argentina  and  from  the  decrease  in 
provincial taxes in Canada. 

In fiscal 2021, income tax expense totalled $217.8 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 25.8% as compared to 
27.1% for fiscal 2020. The fiscal 2021 income tax expense reflected the tax treatment of an impairment of intangible 
assets charge and an income tax benefit related to a tax inflation adjustment in Argentina. Income taxes during fiscal 
2020  included  an  income  tax  expense  of  $17.3  million  due  to  the  increase  in  the  corporate  income  tax  rate  in  the 
United Kingdom. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 also reflected the income tax benefits related to a tax inflation 
adjustment  pursuant  to Argentine  tax  legislation  and  the  decrease  in  provincial  income  taxes  in  Canada.  Excluding 
the effects of the factors mentioned above, the effective tax rate for the fiscal years 2021 and 2020 would have been 
26.3% and 26.2%, respectively.

The effective tax rate varies and could increase or decrease based on the geographic mix of quarterly and year-to-
date  earnings  across  the  various  jurisdictions  in  which  we  operate,  the  amount  and  source  of  taxable  income, 
amendments  to  tax  legislations  and  income  tax  rates,  changes  in  assumptions,  as  well  as  estimates  for  tax  assets 
and liabilities we use.

Net earnings 

Net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 totalled $103.1 million, an increase of $14.4 million or 16.2%, as 
compared to $88.7 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. In fiscal 2021, net earnings totalled $625.6 million, an 
increase of $42.8 million or 7.3%, as compared to $582.8 million for last fiscal year. These increases were mainly due 
to the aforementioned factors.

Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business 
acquisitions*

Adjusted  net  earnings  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions  for  the  fourth 
quarter of fiscal 2021 totalled $123.7 million, an increase of $7.2 million or 6.2%, as compared to $116.5 million for 
the same quarter last fiscal year. This increase was mainly due to the aforementioned factors.

In  fiscal  2021,  adjusted  net  earnings  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions 
totalled  $714.8  million,  a  decrease  of  $8.8  million  or  1.2%,  as  compared  to  $723.6  million  for  last  fiscal  year.  This 
decrease was mainly due to the aforementioned factors. 

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 15

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY SECTOR

CANADA SECTOR
(in millions of CDN dollars)
Fiscal years

Q4

2021

Q3

Q2

Revenues

1,000.8   

1,088.7   

1,063.8   

Adjusted EBITDA*

107.4   

118.3   

117.0   

Q1

981.6   

104.2   

Q4

2020

Q3

Q2

960.1   

1,049.0   

1,029.4   

91.0   

111.7   

103.2   

Q1

968.8 

98.5 

*

See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

The Canada Sector consists of the Dairy Division (Canada).

USA SECTOR
(in millions of CDN dollars)
Fiscal years

Revenues

Adjusted EBITDA*

Q4

1,399.2   
93.7   

2021

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

2020

Q3

Q2

Q1

1,656.8   

1,649.1   

1,416.7   

1,694.8   

1,848.7   

1,792.4   

1,757.7 

171.0   

140.4   

162.2   

94.3   

172.1   

175.4   

173.6 

See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

*
Selected factors positively (negatively) affecting financial performance
(in millions of CDN dollars) 
Fiscal years

2021

2020

USA Market Factors*,1
Inventory write-down
US currency exchange1

Q4
(4)   
—   
(5)   

Q3

34   

—   

(2)   

Q2

4   

—   

2   

Q1

23   

—   

5   

Q4

(8)   

(18)   

1   

Q3

14   

—   

—   

Q2

10   

—   

1   

Q1

(8) 

— 

6 

Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

*
1  As compared to same quarter last fiscal year.

Other pertinent information
(in US dollars, except for average exchange rate) 
Fiscal years

Q4

2021

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

2020

Q3

Q2

Q1

Block market price*

Opening

Closing

Average

Butter market price*

Opening

Closing

Average

Average whey powder 

market price per pound*

Spread*

US average exchange rate 
to Canadian dollar1

1.650   

1.738   

1.687   

2.573   

1.650   

2.129   

2.640   

2.573   

2.249   

1.330   

2.640   

1.778   

1.910   

1.330   

1.835   

1.958   

1.910   

1.971   

1.858   

1.958   

1.912   

1.645 

1.858 

1.711 

1.420   

1.818   

1.480   

1.510   

1.420   

1.444   

1.765   

1.510   

1.571   

1.335   

1.765   

1.500   

1.950   

1.335   

1.799   

2.128   

1.950   

2.043   

2.410   

2.128   

2.284   

2.255 

2.410 

2.330 

0.517   

0.001   

0.388   

0.168   

0.311   

0.141   

0.356   

0.353   

0.326   

0.352   

0.047 

0.113  

(0.018)   

0.029 

0.370 
0.0012

1.268   

1.306   

1.333   

1.378   

1.330   

1.320   

1.320   

1.337 

Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

*
1  Based on Bank of Canada published information.
2  Updated to conform to the current Spread definition.

The USA Sector consists of the Dairy Division (USA). 

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL SECTOR
(in millions of CDN dollars) 
Fiscal years

Revenues

Adjusted EBITDA*

Q4

827.3   

62.3   

2021

Q3

806.8   

104.7   

Q2

Q1

Q4

2020

Q3

Q2

805.7   

781.6   

832.4   

797.0   

657.0   

78.2   

59.8   

66.5   

98.5   

80.2   

Q1

790.3 

59.7 

*

See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

Selected factors positively (negatively) affecting financial performance
(in millions of CDN dollars) 
Fiscal years

2021

2020

Foreign currency exchange1

Q4

3   

Q3

4   

Q2

(1)   

Q1

(9)   

Q4

(5)   

Q3

(14)   

Q2

(16)   

Q1

(10) 

1  As compared to same quarter last fiscal year.

The International Sector consists of the Dairy Division (Australia) and the Dairy Division (Argentina).

EUROPE SECTOR
(in millions of CDN dollars)
Fiscal years

Q4

2021

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

2020

Q3

Q2

Revenues

Adjusted EBITDA*

210.7   

210.6   

183.6   

210.9   

231.4   

196.1   

186.8   

39.4   

37.1   

34.9   

40.3   

46.6   

34.7   

35.6   

*

See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

The Europe Sector consists of the Dairy Division (UK).

Q1

151.6 

26.2 

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 17

 
 
 
 
 
CANADA SECTOR
(in millions of CDN dollars)

Revenues

Adjusted EBITDA*

For the three-month periods 
ended March 31

2021

1,000.8   

107.4   

2020

960.1   

91.0   

For the years 
ended March 31

2021

4,134.9   

446.9   

2020

4,007.3 

404.4 

*

See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

The Canada Sector consists of the Dairy Division (Canada). 

Revenues

Revenues  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021  totalled  $1.001  billion,  an  increase  of  $40.7  million  or  4.2%,  as 
compared to $960.1 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. 

Revenues  were  positively  impacted  by  higher  sales  volumes  in  the  retail  and  industrial  market  segments,  which 
outweighed decreased sales volumes in the foodservice market segment resulting from the shift in consumer demand 
related to the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Higher  selling  prices  in  connection  with  the  higher  cost  of  milk  as  raw  material  also  contributed  positively  to  the 
increase in revenues. 

Revenues in fiscal 2021 totalled $4.135 billion, an increase of $127.6 million or 3.2%, as compared to $4.007 billion 
last fiscal year. 

Revenues were positively impacted by higher sales volumes, mainly in the fluid milk category. The shift in consumer 
demand  related  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic  resulted  in  increased  sales  volumes  in  the  retail  and  industrial  market 
segments, which outweighed decreased sales volumes within the foodservice market segment. 

Higher  selling  prices  in  connection  with  the  higher  cost  of  milk  as  raw  material  also  contributed  positively  to  the 
increase in revenues.

The retail market segment represented approximately 63% of revenues (58% in fiscal 2020), an increase reflecting 
the shift in consumer demand related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sustained demand for dairy products and the 
brand initiatives described below. 

We leveraged our long-standing Armstrong brand’s popularity, building on its repositioning and new line extensions to  
increase  distribution  and  gain  market  share  nationally.  Following  the  launch  of  our  award-winning  Armstrong 
shredded cheese range, we expanded our line-up to include additional new flavours and formats created to suit the 
diverse  needs  of  Canadian  households.  We  continued  our  initiatives  to  boost  brand  exposure  through  marketing 
activities, media, and local trade marketing as well as online with the Spring 2020 launch of our direct-to-consumer 
website, The Saputo Fridge, offering consumers limited shelf-life overstocked products. 

The  foodservice  market  segment  represented  approximately  29%  of  revenues  (36%  in  fiscal  2020),  a  decrease 
reflecting the shift in consumer demand related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the year, we worked closely 
with  customers  to  develop  innovative  product  offerings  adapted  to  new  consumer  trends,  such  as  take-out  for  in-
home dining, which are expected to outlast the pandemic.

The industrial market segment represented approximately 8% of revenues (6% in fiscal 2020). 

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 18

 
 
Adjusted EBITDA*

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 totalled $107.4 million, an increase of $16.4 million or 18.0%, 
as compared to $91.0 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. 

Adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by higher sales volumes within the retail and industrial market segments, 
which outweighed lower sales volumes in the foodservice market segment. 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on demand in the foodservice market segment in the last two weeks 
of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, an inventory write-down and other expenses were incurred totalling $4.3 million, 
which were mainly attributable to unsellable inventory. 

Adjusted  EBITDA  in  fiscal  2021  totalled  $446.9  million,  an  increase  of  $42.5  million  or  10.5%,  as  compared  to 
$404.4 million last fiscal year. 

Adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by higher sales volumes within the retail and industrial market segments, 
which outweighed lower sales volumes in the foodservice market segment. 

As described above, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected adjusted EBITDA late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 
2020. 

Lower  administrative  costs  positively  impacted  adjusted  EBITDA  as  a  result  of  the  ongoing  ban  on  non-essential 
business  travel,  limitations  placed  on  promotional  activity  and  other  initiatives  in  the  context  of  the  COVID-19 
pandemic. 

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 19

USA SECTOR
(in millions of CDN dollars)

Revenues

Adjusted EBITDA*

For the three-month periods 
ended March 31

2021
1,399.2   
93.7   

2020

1,694.8   

94.3   

For the years 
ended March 31

2021

6,121.8   

567.3   

2020

7,093.6 

615.4 

*

See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

Selected factors positively (negatively) affecting financial performance
(in millions of CDN dollars) 

USA Market Factors*,1
Inventory write-down
US currency exchange1

For the three-month periods 
ended March 31

For the years 
ended March 31

2021

(4)   

—   

(5)   

2020

(8)   

(18)   

1   

2021

57   

—   

—   

2020

8 

(18) 

8 

Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

*
1  As compared to same quarter last fiscal year for the three-month periods; as compared to last fiscal year for the years ended March 31.

Other pertinent information
(in US dollars, except for average exchange rate) 

Block market price*

Opening

Closing

Average

Butter market price*

Opening

Closing

Average

Average whey powder market price*
Spread*

US average exchange rate to Canadian 

dollar1

For the three-month periods 
ended March 31

For the years 
ended March 31

2021

2020

2021

1.650   

1.738   

1.687   

1.420   

1.818   

1.480   

0.517   
0.001   

1.910   

1.330   

1.835   

1.950   

1.335   

1.799   

0.353   
0.113   

1.330   

1.738   

1.961   

1.335   

1.818   

1.498   

0.393   
0.090   

1.268   

1.330   

1.326   

2020

1.645 

1.330 

1.857 

2.255 

1.335 

2.114 

0.350 
0.046 

1.327 

Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

*
1  Based on Bank of Canada published information.

The USA Sector consists of the Dairy Division (USA). During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the two former USA 
divisions,  the  Cheese  Division  (USA)  and  the  Dairy  Foods  Division  (USA),  were  merged  into  a  single  division  now 
known as the Dairy Division (USA).

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues

Revenues  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021  totalled  $1.399  billion,  a  decrease  of  $295.6  million  or  17.4%,  as 
compared to $1.695 billion for the same quarter last fiscal year. 

Revenues were negatively impacted by lower sales volumes, particularly in the foodservice market segment. 

Fluctuations  in  the  average  block  market  price  and  a  lower  average  butter  market  price  both  negatively  impacted 
revenues by approximately $107 million. 

The fluctuation of the US dollar versus the Canadian dollar decreased revenues by approximately $99 million. 

Revenues in fiscal 2021 totalled $6.122 billion, a decrease of $971.8 million or 13.7%, as compared to $7.094 billion 
last fiscal year. 

Revenues were negatively impacted by lower sales volumes, particularly in the foodservice market segment.  

The lower average butter market price negatively impacted revenues, partially offset by the fluctuation of the average 
block market price, for a combined negative impact of approximately $114 million. 

The fluctuation of the US dollar versus the Canadian dollar decreased revenues by approximately $52 million.

The  retail  market  segment  represented  approximately  47%  of  total  USA  Sector  revenues  (43%  in  fiscal  2020) 
whereas  the  foodservice  market  segment  represented  approximately 43%  of  revenues  (48%  in  fiscal  2020). These 
fluctuations  reflected  the  shift  in  consumer  demand  related  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  In  fiscal  2021,  we 
implemented various initiatives focused on product innovation and maintaining our market share, as described below.

The Frigo Cheese Heads, Treasure Cave and Montchevre retail brands maintained leading market share positions in 
string  cheese,  blue  cheese  and  goat  cheese,  respectively.  With  our  strong  position  in  “recipe  cheeses”  such  as 
mozzarella, hard Italian and ricotta, the Frigo brand grew as consumers shifted to more in-home dining. In fiscal 2021, 
the UK’s #1 cheddar cheese brand, Cathedral City, was introduced in the USA, with products currently available for 
purchase  in  over  5,000  stores  nationwide.  We  continued  to  outpace  national  retail  market  growth  in core  products, 
including  cream,  lactose-free  milk  and  aerosol  whipped  toppings,  driven  by  pandemic-induced  in-home  coffee  and 
dessert  consumption.  Fiscal  2021  was  a  year  of  innovation  as  we  launched  new  product  lines  of  ultra-filtered  and 
dairy alternative milk, as well as commissioned equipment for single-serve aseptic value-added beverages, all offered 
for sale across the retail and foodservice market segments. 

While we were exposed to COVID-19-related challenges in the foodservice market segment throughout fiscal 2021, 
we worked to optimize our branded portfolio across  product categories to drive profitability once dynamics improve 
post-pandemic.  We  successfully  trialled  a  mozzarella-style  cheese  alternative  product  with  the  functional  and  taste 
attributes  that  customers  and  consumers  are  expecting  in  this  category.  Alignment  with  quick-service  restaurant 
(QSR) customers, who fared well in the pandemic due to drive-thru operations, helped us outpace the market for ice 
cream mix and iced coffee products. Among the broadline foodservice distributors, we saw steep declines in cream 
and portion control creamers with reduced occasions for away-from-home coffee consumption.

The industrial market segment represented approximately 10% of revenues (9% in fiscal 2020). 

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 21

Adjusted EBITDA*

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 totalled $93.7 million, a decrease of $0.6 million or 0.6%, as 
compared to $94.3 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. 

Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by lower sales volumes as a result of the shift in consumer demand, which 
affected efficiencies and the absorption of fixed costs. 

The relation between the average block market price and the cost of milk as raw material had an unfavourable impact 
on adjusted EBITDA. However, the net impact of the lower average butter market price** and the fluctuation of the 
average  block  market  price**  had  a  favourable  impact  on  both  the  realization  of  inventories  and  the  absorption  of 
fixed costs. Higher dairy ingredient market prices had a favourable impact on adjusted EBITDA. The combined effect 
of these USA Market Factors** negatively impacted adjusted EBITDA by approximately $4 million. 

Also, lower administrative costs positively impacted adjusted EBITDA as a result of the ongoing ban on non-essential 
business  travel,  limitations  placed  on  promotional  activity  and  other  initiatives  in  the  context  of  the  COVID-19 
pandemic. 

In  the  last  two  weeks  of  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2020,  adjusted  EBITDA  was  negatively  impacted  due  to  the 
decrease in foodservice customer demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This decrease included a $22.6 
million loss from unsellable inventory destined to foodservice customers and other expenses, as well as an inventory 
write-down of $17.9 million as a result of the reduction in certain market selling prices.

Finally,  the  fluctuation  of  the  US  dollar  versus  the  Canadian  dollar  had  a  negative  impact  on  adjusted  EBITDA  of 
approximately $5 million.

Adjusted  EBITDA  in  fiscal  2021  totalled  $567.3  million,  a  decrease  of  $48.1  million  or  7.8%,  as  compared  to 
$615.4 million last fiscal year. 

Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by lower sales volumes, which affected the Sector’s efficiencies and the 
absorption of fixed costs.

The  relation  between  the  average  block  market  price  and  the  cost  of  milk  as  raw  material  as  well  as  higher  dairy 
ingredient  market  prices  had  a  favourable  impact  on  adjusted  EBITDA.  However,  the  combined  effect  of  the 
fluctuation of the average block market price and the lower average butter market price had an unfavourable impact 
on  both  the  realization  of  inventories  and  the  absorption  of  fixed  costs.  The  combined  effect  of  these  USA  Market 
Factors  positively  impacted  adjusted  EBITDA  by  approximately  $57  million.  Furthermore,  as  described  above, 
adjusted EBITDA was negatively affected by the sharp market downward pressure of commodity prices in the last two 
weeks of fiscal 2020.

Also, lower administrative costs positively impacted adjusted EBITDA as a result of the ongoing ban on non-essential 
business  travel,  limitations  placed  on  promotional  activity  and  other  initiatives  in  the  context  of  the  COVID-19 
pandemic. 

As described above, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted adjusted EBITDA late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 
2020.

Finally, the fluctuation of the US dollar versus the Canadian dollar had a negligible impact on adjusted EBITDA.

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 22

INTERNATIONAL SECTOR
(in millions of CDN dollars) 

Revenues

Adjusted EBITDA*

For the three-month periods 
ended March 31

2021
827.3   
62.3   

2020

832.4   

66.5   

For the years 
ended March 31

2021

3,221.4   

305.0   

2020

3,076.7 

304.9 

*

See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

Selected factors positively (negatively) affecting financial performance
(in millions of CDN dollars) 

Foreign currency exchange1

For the three-month periods 
ended March 31

2021

3   

2020

(5)   

For the years 
ended March 31

2021

(3)   

2020

(45) 

1  As compared to same quarter last fiscal year for the three-month periods; as compared to last fiscal year for the years ended March 31.

The International Sector consists of the Dairy Division (Australia) and the Dairy Division (Argentina). 

Revenues

Revenues  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021  totalled  $827.3  million,  a  decrease  of  $5.1  million  or  0.6%,  as 
compared to $832.4 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. 

A  decrease  in  international  cheese  and  dairy  ingredient  market  prices  negatively  impacted  revenues.  The 
strengthening of the Australian dollar versus the US dollar, partially offset by the positive impact of the devaluation of 
the Argentine peso versus the US dollar in the export markets, also had a negative impact on revenues. 

Increased  sales  volumes  in  our  export  markets,  despite  varying  government-imposed  health  restrictions,  positively 
impacted  revenues.  Sales  volumes  in  the  industrial  and  foodservice  market  segments  increased  whereas  sales 
volumes in the retail market segment decreased in comparison to those of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, which had 
been positively impacted following the shift in consumer demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The net effect of higher selling prices in the Dairy Division (Argentina), as a result of the hyperinflationary economy, 
and lower selling prices in the domestic market in the Dairy Division (Australia), due to lower dairy commodity prices, 
positively impacted revenues. 

Finally, the fluctuation of the functional currencies used in the International Sector versus the Canadian dollar had a 
negative impact on revenues of approximately $28 million.

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 23

 
 
 
Revenues in fiscal 2021 totalled $3.221 billion, an increase of $144.7 million or 4.7%, as compared to $3.077 billion 
last fiscal year. 

Revenues  increased  in  all  market  segments.  Despite  varying  government-imposed  lockdowns  throughout  the  year, 
additional sales volumes in our export markets positively impacted revenues.

Revenues increased due to higher selling prices in the domestic market in Australia, as a result of the higher cost of 
milk as raw material, and in the Dairy Division (Argentina), as a result of the hyperinflationary economy. However, a 
decrease in international cheese and dairy ingredient market prices had a negative impact on revenues.

The impact of the devaluation of the Argentine peso versus the US dollar in the export markets, partially offset by the 
strengthening of the Australian dollar versus the US dollar, also positively impacted revenues. The fluctuation of the 
functional currencies used in the International Sector versus the Canadian dollar had a negative impact on revenues 
of approximately $148 million.

The contribution of the Specialty Cheese Business Acquisition for the full fiscal year, as compared 22 weeks last fiscal 
year, positively impacted revenues. 

The retail market segment represented approximately 43% of total revenues (42% in fiscal 2020). We continued to 
leverage  our  vast  portfolio  of  brands  inherited  through  acquisitions.  The  Dairy  Division  (Australia)  re-launched  the 
Devondale brand, resulting in increased brand awareness, and launched new products under the lactose-free Liddells 
range,  which  is  now  our  fastest-growing  brand  in  everyday  cheddar  from  a  volume  standpoint.  Mersey  Valley  has 
strengthened  its  position  as  the  top  specialty  cheddar  brand  and King  Island  Dairy  Stormy  won  the  2020 Australia 
Grand  Dairy  Award  in  the  washed/mixed  rind  category.  The  Dairy  Division  (Argentina)  launched  a  promotional 
campaign  for  La  Paulina,  continuing  to  increase  brand  awareness.  La  Paulina  is  the  leading  cheese  brand  in 
Argentina. 

The foodservice market segment represented approximately 7% of total revenues in fiscal 2021 (7% in fiscal 2020).

The industrial market segment represented approximately 50% of total revenues in fiscal 2021 (51% in fiscal 2020). 
Industrial market segment sales are destined mostly for export markets. 

Adjusted EBITDA*

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 totalled $62.3 million, a decrease of $4.2 million or 6.3%, as 
compared to $66.5 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. 

The relation between international cheese and dairy ingredient market prices and the cost of milk as raw material had 
a negative impact on adjusted EBITDA. However, higher sales volumes and improved operational efficiencies derived 
from increased milk availability, positively impacted adjusted EBITDA. 

The fluctuation of the functional currencies used in the International Sector versus the Canadian dollar had a positive 
impact on adjusted EBITDA of approximately $3 million.

In fiscal 2021, adjusted EBITDA totalled $305.0 million, as compared to $304.9 million last fiscal year. 

Adjusted  EBITDA  was  positively  impacted  by  higher  sales  volumes  and  improved  operational  efficiencies  derived 
from increased milk availability.  

The  unfavourable  relation  between  international  cheese  and  dairy  ingredient  market  prices  and  the  cost  of  milk  as 
raw  material  had  a  negative  impact  on  adjusted  EBITDA.  The  contribution  of  the  Specialty  Cheese  Business 
Acquisition for the full fiscal year, as compared to 22 weeks last fiscal year, also increased adjusted EBITDA. 

The fluctuation of the functional currencies used in the International Sector versus the Canadian dollar had a negative 
impact on adjusted EBITDA of approximately $3 million.

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 24

EUROPE SECTOR
(in millions of CDN dollars)

Revenues

Adjusted EBITDA*

For the three-month periods 
ended March 31

For the years 
ended March 31

2021
210.7   
39.4   

2020

231.4   

46.6   

2021

815.8   

151.7   

2020

765.9 

143.1 

*

See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

The Europe Sector consists of the Dairy Division (UK).

Revenues

Revenues  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021  totalled  $210.7  million,  a  decrease  of  $20.7  million  or  8.9%,  as 
compared to $231.4 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. 

Sales volumes in the retail market segment were lower as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, which had 
been positively impacted by a surge in demand in the last two weeks of the quarter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Also, sales volumes in the industrial market segment were lower, mainly in the dairy ingredients category, due to the 
continuing effects of the pandemic throughout fiscal 2021. 

The  fluctuation  of  the  British  pound  sterling  versus  the  Canadian  dollar  increased  revenues  by  approximately 
$2 million. 

Revenues in fiscal 2021 totalled $815.8 million, an increase of $49.9 million or 6.5%, as compared to $765.9 million 
last fiscal year. 

Revenues increased due to the contribution of the Dairy Crest Acquisition for the full fiscal year, as compared to a 50-
week contribution in fiscal 2020 and higher sales volumes in the retail market segment fueled by increased consumer 
demand related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, revenues were negatively impacted by lower sales volumes in 
the industrial market segment, mainly in the dairy ingredients category.  

The  fluctuation  of  the  British  pound  sterling  versus  the  Canadian  dollar  increased  revenues  by  approximately 
$17 million.

The  retail  market  segment  represented  approximately  87%  of  revenues  (83%  in  fiscal  2020),  an  increase  which 
reflected  the  effects  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  The  Dairy  Division  (UK)  maintained  its  position  as  the  largest 
manufacturer of branded cheese in the United Kingdom, mainly with its market-leading Cathedral City brand, as well 
as  its  position  as  a  top  manufacturer  of  dairy  spreads  with  its  market-leading  Clover  brand.  We  opened  up  new 
markets  during  the  year  in  Canada  and  the  USA  for  our Cathedral  City  brand  and  a  new  e-commerce  platform    to 
develop sales for our Davidstow cheese brand. Updated packaging for the plant-based brand Vitalite was introduced, 
highlighting key functional and nutritional benefits to facilitate consumer choice. We continued to successfully respond 
to  increasing  demand  for  Frylight,  the  UK's  1-calorie  oil  spray,  which  has  experienced  sustained  levels  of  demand 
from customers. 

The  foodservice  and  industrial  market  segments  represented  approximately  1%  and  12%,  respectively,  of  total 
revenues (1%, and 16%, respectively, in fiscal 2020).

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 25

 
 
Adjusted EBITDA*

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 totalled $39.4 million, a decrease of $7.2 million or 15.5%, as 
compared to $46.6 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. 

Lower sales volumes in the retail and industrial market segments negatively impacted adjusted EBITDA. 

The fluctuation of the British pound sterling versus the Canadian dollar increased adjusted EBITDA by approximately 
$1 million. 

Adjusted  EBITDA  in  fiscal  2021  totalled  $151.7  million,  an  increase  of  $8.6  million  or  6.0%,  as  compared  to 
$143.1 million last fiscal year. 

Adjusted EBITDA increased due to the contribution of the Dairy Crest Acquisition for the full fiscal year, as compared 
to  a  50-week  contribution  in  fiscal  2020  and  higher  sales  volumes  in  the  retail  market  segment.  However,  adjusted 
EBITDA  was  negatively  impacted  by  lower  sales  volumes  in  the  industrial  market  segment,  mainly  in  the  dairy 
ingredients category.

The fluctuation of the British pound sterling versus the Canadian dollar increased adjusted EBITDA by approximately 
$4 million. 

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 26

LIQUIDITY, FINANCIAL AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The intent of this section is to provide insight into our cash and capital management strategies and how they drive 
operational objectives, as well as to provide details on how we manage our liquidity risk to meet Saputo's financial 
obligations as they come due. 

As we navigate through the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related uncertainties, we continue to focus 
on  capital  allocation  priorities  and  cash  flow  generation.  Our  current  capital  allocation  priorities  are  focused  on 
investing wisely to support organic growth, business operations, and our brands. 

The Company's cash and cash equivalents totalled $308.7 million as at March 31, 2021. In addition to these funds, 
we have unused credit facilities of $2.038 billion under our bank credit facilities as at March 31, 2021. We believe we 
are well positioned to navigate current market conditions given our strong balance sheet.

The Company's liquidity needs are funded from cash generated by operations, unsecured bank credit facilities and 
unsecured  senior  notes.  These  funds  are  used  principally  for  capital  expenditures,  dividends,  debt  repayments, 
business  acquisitions  and  share  repurchases  and  are  expected  to  be  sufficient  to  meet  the  Company’s  liquidity 
requirements.  We  do  not  foresee  any  difficulty  in  securing  financing  beyond  what  is  currently  available  through 
existing  arrangements  or  public  offerings,  when  appropriate,  to  fund  possible  acquisitions  and/or  to  refinance  debt 
obligations.

The Company’s cash flows are summarized in the following table:

(in millions of CDN dollars) 

Cash generated from operating activities

Net cash generated from operating activities

Cash used for investing activities

Cash (used for) generated from financing activities

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

Operating Activities

For the three-month periods
 ended March 31

For the years
ended March 31

2021
202.7   
150.3   
(157.5)   
(189.4)   
(196.6)   

2020
331.9   
295.2   
(201.4)   
(23.7)   
70.1   

2021
1,312.7   
1,078.1   
(387.4)   
(704.7)   
(14.0)   

2020

1,315.5 

1,036.9 

(2,494.9) 

1,643.8 

185.8 

Net  cash  generated  from  operating  activities  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021,  amounted  to  $150.3  million,  a 
decrease of $144.9 million or 49.1%, compared to $295.2 million for the same quarter last fiscal year. This decrease 
was  related  to  changes  in  non-cash  operating  working  capital  items  of  $140.5  million,  which  were  driven  by  the 
fluctuation in accounts receivable, inventories, as well as payables in line with the fluctuation of market prices. The 
decrease was also due to the timing of collections of accounts receivable and of payments of accounts payable, as 
well  as  higher  income  taxes  paid  of  $24.4  million. The  decrease  was  partially  offset  by  lower  interest  and  financial 
charges  paid  of  $8.7  million,  lower  acquisition  and  restructuring  costs  of  $10.8  million  and  an  increase  in  adjusted 
EBITDA of $4.4 million.

In fiscal 2021 net cash generated from operating activities amounted to $1.078 billion, as compared to $1.037 billion 
for last fiscal year. This increase of $41.2 million is due to lower acquisition and restructuring costs of $49.2 million, 
decreases  in  interest  and  financial  charges  paid  and  income  taxes  paid  of  $27.7  million  and  $16.3  million, 
respectively,  an  increase  in  non-cash  foreign  exchange  loss  on  debt  of  $91.6  million  and  an  increase  in  adjusted 
EBITDA  of  $3.1  million.  The  increase  is  partially  offset  by  a  decrease  related  to  changes  in  non-cash  operating 
working  capital  items  of $126.6  million,  which  were  driven  by  the  fluctuation  in  accounts  receivable,  inventories,  as 
well as payables in line with the fluctuation of market prices. The decrease was also due to the timing of collections of 
accounts receivable and of payments of accounts payable, as well as lower share of earnings in joint ventures (net of 
dividends received) of $12.4 million.

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 27

 
 
 
 
 
Investing Activities

Investing  activities  for  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021  were  mainly  comprised  of  $144.5  million  disbursed  for 
additions  to  property,  plant  and  equipment,  additions  to  intangible  assets  totalling $17.9  million  related  to  the  ERP 
initiative and proceeds from the disposal of assets in the amount of $4.9 million. 

In fiscal 2021, investing activities were mainly comprised of $379.5 million disbursed for additions to property, plant 
and equipment, additions to intangible assets totalling $53.5 million related to the ERP initiative and proceeds from 
the disposal of assets in the amount of $45.6 million. Of these additions, 28% went into the replacement of property, 
plant  and  equipment  and  72%  was  used  to  implement  new  technologies  and  to  expand  and  increase  certain 
manufacturing capacities.

Financing Activities

Financing  activities  for  the fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021  comprised  the  repayment  of  $119.9  million  of  bank  loans 
and  payments  of  $21.0  million  and  $101.7  million  of  lease  liabilities  and  dividends,  respectively.  An  amount  of 
$42.1 million in dividends was paid through the DRIP. Finally, shares were issued as part of the stock option plan for 
$19.9 million. 

In  fiscal  2021,  financing  activities  consisted  mainly  of  the  issuances,  on  June  16,  2020,  of  Series  7  medium  term 
notes for an aggregate principal of $700.0 million and, on November 19, 2020, of Series 8 medium term notes for an 
aggregate principal of $350.0 million. A portion of the net proceeds of the issuance of Series 7 medium term notes 
were used to repay $426.0 million of the term loan facility incurred in connection with the Dairy Crest Acquisition and 
$206.0 million of revolving credit facilities for the Dairy Division (Australia), which included funds drawn in connection 
with  the  Specialty  Cheese  Business Acquisition. The  net  proceeds  of  the  issuance  of  Series  8  medium  term  notes 
were used to repay $346.7 million of the 3-year tranche of the term loan facility incurred in connection with the Dairy 
Crest Acquisition and for general corporate purposes. In addition, we repaid long-term debt during the period in the 
amount of $320.5 million and bank loans of $238.4 million. Also, $79.5 million of lease liabilities and $204.6 million in 
dividends were paid. An amount of $80.3 million in dividends was paid through the DRIP. Finally, shares were issued 
as part of the stock option plan for $32.7 million. 

Liquidity
(in millions of CDN dollars, except ratio) 

Fiscal years

Current assets

Current liabilities

Working capital*

Working capital ratio*

2021

3,947.6   

2,146.0   

1,801.6   

1.84   

2020

4,069.0 

2,493.5 

1,575.5 

1.63 

*

Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

The working capital ratio is an indication of the Company's ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term assets, 
without having excess dormant assets. The increase in the working capital ratio was mainly due to a lower level of 
bank loans.

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 28

 
 
 
 
Capital Management

Our  capital  strategy  requires  a  well-balanced  financing  structure  in  order  to  maintain  the  flexibility  needed  to 
implement  growth  initiatives  while  allowing  it  to  pursue  disciplined  capital  investments  and  maximize  shareholder 
value. 

We  target  a  long-term  leverage  of  approximately  2.25  times  net  debt  to  adjusted  EBITDA**.  From  time  to  time,  we 
may deviate from our long-term leverage target to pursue acquisitions and other strategic opportunities. 

(in millions of CDN dollars, except ratio and number of shares and options) 

Fiscal years

Long-term debt

Bank loans

Lease Liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt*

Adjusted EBITDA**

Net debt to adjusted EBITDA**
Number of common shares

Number of stock options

2021

3,577.8   

75.6   

461.0   

308.7   

3,805.7   

1,470.9   

2020

3,542.3 

528.5 

414.8 

319.4 

4,166.2 

1,467.8 

2.59   
412,333,571   

23,339,321   

2.84 
408,638,373 

20,946,092 

*  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
**  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.

We implemented a DRIP, which became effective as of the dividend paid on July 9, 2020, as described in Note 13 to 
the consolidated financial statements. The DRIP provides eligible shareholders with the opportunity to have all or a 
portion of their cash dividends automatically reinvested into additional common shares.

On June 16, 2020, we issued Series 7 medium term notes for an aggregate principal amount of $700.0 million due 
June 16, 2027, bearing interest at 2.24%. The net proceeds of the issuance were used to repay (i) the $426.0 million 
2-year tranche of the term loan facility incurred in connection with the Dairy Crest Acquisition and (ii) $206.0 million of 
the  revolving  loan  facilities  for  the  Dairy  Division  (Australia),  which  included  funds  drawn  in  connection  with  the 
Specialty Cheese Business Acquisition. The remaining net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.

On November 19, 2020, we issued Series 8 medium term notes for an aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million 
due  November  19,  2026,  bearing  interest  at  1.42%.  The  net  proceeds  of  the  issuance  were  used  to  repay  $346.7 
million of the 3-year tranche of the term loan facility incurred in connection with the Dairy Crest Acquisition and  for 
general corporate purposes.

On December 9, 2020, we filed an unallocated short form base shelf prospectus providing us the flexibility to make 
offerings  of  various  securities  for  up  to  an  aggregate  amount  of  $3.000  billion  during  the  25-month  period  that  the 
base  shelf  prospectus  is  effective.  On  December  15,  2020,  we  renewed  our  medium  term  note  (MTN)  program  by 
filing a supplement to the short form base shelf prospectus. 

As  at  March  31,  2021,  the  Company  had  $308.7  million  in  cash  and  cash  equivalents  and  available  bank  credit 
facilities  of  $2.113  billion,  of  which  $75.6  million  were  drawn.  See  Notes  10  and  11  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements for additional information related to bank loans and long-term debt.

Share  capital  authorized  by  the  Company  is  comprised  of  an  unlimited  number  of  common  shares.  The  common 
shares are voting and participating. As at May 31, 2021, 412,723,935 common shares and 24,628,668 stock options 
were outstanding. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS 

We  manage  and  continually  monitor  the  Company's  commitments  and  contractual  obligations  to  ensure  that  these 
can be met with funding provided by operations and capital structure optimization.

The  Company's  contractual  obligations  consist  of  commitments  to  repay  long-term  debt,  payments  for  leased 
premises,  equipment  and  rolling  stock,  as  well  as  purchase  obligations  for  capital  expenditures  and  service 
agreements to which we are committed. Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements describes the Company's 
commitment  to  repay  long-term  debt  and  Note  20  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  describes  its  lease 
commitments.

(in millions of CDN dollars) 

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Long-term 
debt

Leases

Purchase 
obligations 
& other

Less than 1 year

1–2 years
2–3 years

3–4 years

4–5 years

300.0   

758.8   
684.7   

400.0   

350.0   

More than 5 years  

1,084.3   

3,577.8   

98.0   

76.3   
57.6   

72.9   

33.0   

283.7   

621.5   

Long-term debt

Total

561.8   

868.1   
754.5   

482.6   

390.2   

1,376.4   

Long-term 
debt

—   

718.8   
1,336.4   

737.1   

400.0   

350.0   

163.8   

33.0   
12.2   

9.7   

7.2   

8.4   

234.3   

4,433.6   

3,542.3   

Purchase 
obligations 
& other

196.5   

20.4   
16.2   

6.5   

6.0   

7.9   

Total

292.9 

824.0 
1,414.9 

790.0 

465.2 

517.7 

253.5   

4,304.7 

Leases

96.4   

84.8   
62.3   

46.4   

59.2   

159.8   

508.9   

The Company’s long-term debt is described in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements. 

In  connection  with  the  acquisition  of  the  activities  of  Murray  Goulburn  Co-Operative  Co.  Limited  (Murray  Goulburn 
Acquisition),  the  Company  entered  into  a  credit  agreement  in April  2018  providing  for  a  non-revolving  term  facility 
comprised of three tranches. A total of $1.273 billion was drawn, of which $888.0 million has since been repaid. The 
credit  facility  bears  interest  at  lenders’  prime  rates  plus  a  maximum  of  1.00%,  or  bankers’  acceptance  rates  or  the 
Australian  Bank  Bill  Rate  plus  0.80%  up  to  a  maximum  of  2.00%,  depending  on  the  Company's  credit  ratings  and 
matures in April 2023.

In connection with the Dairy Crest Acquisition in April 2019, we entered into a credit agreement providing for a non-
revolving  term  facility  comprised  of  three  tranches. A  total  of  $2.037  billion  was  drawn,  of  which  $1.578  billion  has 
since  been  repaid. The  credit  facility  bears  interest  at  lenders’  prime  rates  plus  a  maximum  of  1.00%  or  LIBOR  or 
bankers’ acceptance rates plus 0.80% up to a maximum of 2.00%, depending on the Company's credit ratings and 
matures in April 2022. 

Long-term  debt  also  includes  seven  series  of  unsecured  senior  notes  outstanding  under  its  medium-term  note 
program for a total of $2.700 billion, with annual interest rates varying from 1.42% to 3.60% and maturities ranging 
from June 2021 to June 2027. 

Leases

As  described  in  Note  7  to  the  condensed  interim  consolidated  financial  statements,  during  fiscal  2021,  we  entered 
into a 25-year lease agreement for a land and building, related to our state-of-the-art facility in Port Coquitlam, British 
Columbia,  allowing  the  Dairy  Division  (Canada)  to  better  serve  the  fluid  market  in  Western  Canada.  As  at 
March 31, 2021, the Company held right-of-use assets of $77.1 million, with a corresponding lease liability of $58.5 
million in relation to this transaction.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 30

 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL POSITION 

The main financial position items as at March 31, 2021, varied as compared to the balances as at March 31, 2020, 
principally due to the strengthening of the Canadian dollar versus the US dollar. 

The following table outlines the conversion rates of the respective local operations’ financial position items in foreign 
currencies as at March 31, 2021, and March 31, 2020. 

US dollar / Canadian dollar1
Australian dollar / Canadian dollar1
Argentine peso / Canadian dollar1
British pound sterling / Canadian dollar1

1  Based on Bank of Canada published information.

As at March 31, 2021

As at March 31, 2020

1.2562   

0.9545   

0.0137   

1.7315   

1.4062 

0.8621 

0.0219 

1.7462 

The  fluctuation  of  the  Canadian  dollar  versus  the  US  dollar  and  the  British  pound  sterling,  partially  offset  by  the 
Australian  dollar  and  the  Argentine  peso,  resulted  in  lower  values  recorded  for  the  financial  position  items  of  the 
foreign operations. 

The  net  cash  position  (cash  and  cash  equivalents  less  bank  loans)  increased  from  negative  $209.1  million  as  at 
March  31,  2020,  to  $233.1  million  as  at  March  31,  2021,  mainly  resulting  from  the  increase  in  net  cash  generated 
from  operating  activities  and  a  lower  level  of  bank  loans,  including  a  repayment  of  $206.0  million  in  revolving  loan 
facilities for the Dairy Division (Australia) following the issuance of the Series 7 medium term notes. The change in 
foreign  currency  translation  adjustments  recorded  in  other  comprehensive  income  (loss)  varied  mainly  due  to  the 
fluctuation of foreign currencies versus the Canadian dollar.

GUARANTEES 

From  time  to  time,  we  enter  into  agreements  in  the  normal  course  of  business,  such  as  service  arrangements  and 
leases,  and  in  connection  with  business  or  asset  acquisitions  or  disposals,  which  by  nature  may  provide  for 
indemnification to third parties. These indemnification provisions may be in connection with breach of representations 
and  warranties  and  for  future  claims  for  certain  liabilities.  The  terms  of  these  indemnification  provisions  vary  in 
duration. See Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements that discuss the Company’s guarantees.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

In the normal course of business, we receive services from and provides goods and services to companies subject to 
control or significant influence through ownership by Saputo's principal shareholder. These transactions are entered 
into at fair value, consistent with market values for similar transactions. The services that are received consist mainly 
of travel, publicity, lodging and office space rental. The goods that are provided consist mainly of dairy products. The 
services  that  are  provided  consist  of  management  services.  In  fiscal  2021,  these  goods  and  services  were  of  an 
immaterial amount. Transactions with key management personnel (Management defines key management personnel 
as  all  the  executive  officers  who  have  responsibility  and  authority  for  controlling,  overseeing,  and  planning  the 
activities, as well as the Company’s directors) are also considered related party transactions and consist of short-term 
employee  benefits,  post-employment  benefits,  stock-based  compensation,  and  payments  under  the  deferred  share 
unit  plan.  Refer  to  Note  21  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  for  further  information  on  related  party 
transactions. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 31

 
 
 
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES 

The  preparation  of  the  Company’s  financial  statements  requires  Management  to  make  certain  judgments  and 
estimates  about  transactions  and  carrying  values  that  are  fulfilled  at  a  future  date.  Judgments  and  estimates  are 
subject  to  fluctuations  due  to  changes  in  internal  and/or  external  factors  and  are  continuously  monitored  by 
Management.  A  discussion  of  the  judgments  and  estimates  that  could  have  a  material  effect  on  the  financial 
statements is provided below.

Economic conditions and uncertainties
Current global economic conditions are highly volatile due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was declared in March 
2020.  The  magnitude,  duration  and  severity  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  are  hard  to  predict  and  could  affect  the 
significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes
The Company is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the 
consolidated  provision  for  income  taxes.  During  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  there  are  many  transactions  and 
calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company recognizes liabilities for anticipated 
tax  audit  issues  based  on  estimates  of  whether  additional  taxes  will  be  due.  Where  the  final  tax  outcome  of  these 
matters differs from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the results for the reporting 
period and the respective current income tax and deferred income tax provisions in the reporting period in which such 
determination is made.

Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  measured  using  enacted  or  substantively  enacted  income  tax  rates 
expected  to  apply  to  taxable  income  in  the  years  in  which  temporary  differences  are  expected  to  be  recovered  or 
settled.  As  a  result,  a  projection  of  taxable  income  is  required  for  those  years,  as  well  as  an  assumption  of  the 
ultimate recovery or settlement period for temporary differences. The projection of future taxable income is based on 
Management’s best estimates and may vary from actual taxable income. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each 
reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized. 
Canadian,  US  and  international  tax  rules  and  regulations  are  subject  to  interpretation  and  require  judgment  on  the 
part  of  the  Company  that  may  be  challenged  by  taxation  authorities. The  Company  believes  that  it  has  adequately 
provided for deferred tax obligations that may result from current facts and circumstances. Temporary differences and 
income tax rates could change due to fiscal budget changes and/or changes in income tax laws.

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Business Combinations
Goodwill,  trademarks  and  customer  relationships  have  principally  arisen  as  a  result  of  business  combinations. The 
acquisition method, which also requires significant estimates and judgments, is used to account for these business 
combinations. As part of the allocation process in a business combination, estimated fair values are assigned to the 
net  assets  acquired,  including  trademarks  and  customer  relationships.  These  estimates  are  based  on  forecasts  of 
future  cash  flows,  estimates  of  economic  fluctuations  and  an  estimated  discount  rate.  The  excess  of  the  purchase 
price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired is then assigned to goodwill. In the event that actual net 
assets fair values are different from estimates, the amounts allocated to the net assets, and specifically to trademarks 
and customer relationships, could differ from what is currently reported. This would then have a pervasive impact on 
the carrying value of goodwill. Differences in estimated fair values would also have an impact on the amortization of 
definite life intangibles. 

Property, Plant and Equipment 
Significant judgment is necessary in the selection and application of depreciation method and useful lives as well as 
the determination of which components are significant and how they are allocated. Management has determined that 
the use of the straight-line method of amortization is the most appropriate as its facilities are operating at a similar 
output potential on a year to year basis, which indicates that production is constant. It is Management’s best estimate 
that the useful lives and policies adopted adequately reflect the pattern in which the assets future economic benefits 
are expected to be derived.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 32

Impairment of Assets
Significant  estimates  and  judgments  are  required  in  testing  goodwill,  intangible  assets  and  other  long-lived  assets, 
including  right-of-use  assets,  for  impairment.  Management  uses  estimates  or  exercises  judgment  in  assessing 
indicators  of  impairment,  defining  a  CGU,  forecasting  future  cash  flows  and  in  determining  other  key  assumptions 
such as discount rates and earnings multipliers used for assessing fair value (less costs of disposal) or value in use. 
Goodwill  is  tested  for  impairment  annually  based  on  the  December  31  and  whenever  there  is  an  indication  of 
impairment. Other long-lived assets are tested only when indicators of impairment are present. 

Employee Future Benefits
The Company is the sponsor to both defined benefit and defined contribution plans, which provide pension and other 
post-employment benefits to its employees. 

Several estimates and assumptions are required with regards to the determination of the defined benefit expense and 
its  related  obligation,  such  as  the  discount  rate  used  in  determining  the  carrying  value  of  the  obligation  and  the 
interest income on plan assets, the duration of the obligation, inflation, the expected health care cost trend rate, the 
expected mortality rate, expected salary increase, etc. Changes in a number of key assumptions can have a material 
impact on the calculation of the obligation. Actual results will normally differ from expectations. These gains or losses 
are presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

New accounting standards, interpretations and amendments adopted during the year

Please refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021, and 2020, 
for  more  information  regarding  the  effect  of  new  accounting  standards,  interpretations  and  amendments  adopted 
during fiscal 2021. 

Recent standards, interpretations and amendments not yet implemented

Please refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021, and 2020, 
for  more  information  regarding  the  effect  of  new  accounting  standards,  interpretations  and  amendments  not  yet 
implemented.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 33

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES 

The  main  risks  and  uncertainties  Saputo  is  exposed  to  are  presented  below.  The  Board  of  Directors  (the  Board) 
delegated  to  the Audit  Committee  the  responsibility  to  review,  evaluate  and  discuss  with  Management  and  Internal 
Audit the risk factors inherent to Saputo and ensure that appropriate measures are in place to enable Management to 
identify and manage these risks and uncertainties effectively. The Board also delegated to the Corporate Governance 
and  Human  Resources  Committee  the  responsibility  to  oversee  the  risk  management  measures  related  to  human 
resources  risks.  As  part  of  its  mandate  to  oversee  the  implementation  of  the  Saputo  Promise,  the  Board  directly 
oversees the risks that Saputo faces regarding environmental, social and governance matters.

The Audit  Committee  and  the  Board  have  also  adopted  and  implemented  policies  and  procedures  relating  to  risk 
assessment and management which are reviewed at least annually. An annual detailed presentation on all risk factors 
identified,  as  well  as  periodic  updates,  are  made  by  Management  to  the  Audit  Committee  and  the  Corporate 
Governance and Human Resources Committee, as the case may be, and to the Board. 

While  risk  management  is  part  of  our  transactional,  operational  and  strategic  decisions,  and  overall  management 
approach,  risk  management  does  not  guarantee  that  events  or  circumstances,  including  events  or  circumstances 
related to risks and uncertainties that may not be listed below, will not occur which could negatively affect our financial 
performance and condition.

Product liability 
Saputo’s  operations  are  subject  to  certain  dangers  and  risks  of  liability  faced  by  all  food  processors,  such  as  the 
potential  contamination  of  ingredients  or  products  by  bacteria  or  other  external  agents  that  may  be  introduced  into 
products or packaging. The occurrence of such a contamination could result in a costly product recall, litigation and 
serious damage to our reputation for product quality.

COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated government and consumer responses have had and will likely continue 
to  have  an  adverse  impact  on  our  business,  negatively  impacting  our  business  and  financial  performance  and 
condition in a number of ways:

A decrease in demand or slowdown in recovery from our customers in the foodservice and industrial segments could 
continue  to  adversely  impact  us.  Increased  sales  levels  in  the  retail  market  segment  may  not  be  sustained  in  the 
longer  term  and  therefore  may  not  continue  to  partially  offset  the  reduced  sales  in  the  foodservice  and  industrial 
segments. 

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

A  significant  portion  of  our  workforce  could  become  unable  to  work  because  of  physical  or  mental  illness, 
quarantines, travel restrictions or other governmental actions.
Supply chain disruptions of various types arising from COVID 19 may impact our ability to make products, 
the cost of our products and the availability to deliver to customers.
An unplanned shutdown of one or more of our manufacturing facilities for an extended period could disrupt 
our production capabilities and have a negative effect on our results.
Uncertain  economic  conditions  resulting  from  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and  disruption  in  financial  markets 
and in dairy commodities markets could adversely affect our financial performance and the availability and 
cost  of  capital,  preventing  us  from  continuing  to  access  preferred  sources  of  liquidity  when  desired.  This 
could limit Saputo’s ability to fund strategic opportunities or achieve its strategic plans and other initiatives.
The  increase  in  the  number  of  employees  working  remotely  has  increased  demand  on  information 
technology resources and systems and increased phishing and other cybersecurity attacks.
The implementation of the ERP system upgrade may be further delayed, which could trigger additional costs 
and hinder our growth and operational efficiencies.
Saputo’s customers and supply chain partners may modify their inventory, fulfillment or shipping practices, 
which could impact our production, fulfillment rate and sales, and potentially negatively impact our financial 
performance.  Furthermore,  sustained  financial  pressure  on  our  customers,  economic  uncertainty  and 
financial disruption could have an impact on credit risks and doubtful accounts. 

While we continue to actively monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, its severity, magnitude, duration, intensity, and impact 
on our business and financial performance and condition remain difficult to accurately estimate or forecast.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 34

Supply of raw materials 
Saputo purchases raw materials that can represent up to 85% of the cost of products. We process raw materials into 
finished  edible  products  intended  for  resale  to  a  broad  range  of  customers. Availability  of  raw  materials  as  well  as 
variations in the price of foodstuffs (including as a result of climate change, extreme weather, natural disasters, water 
availability, fires or explosions, health pandemics or outbreaks affecting humans or livestock) can impact production 
costs and capacity utilization and therefore affect our results. The effect of any variation or the volatility of foodstuff 
prices on our results depends on our ability to transfer those increases to our customers and this, in the context of a 
competitive market. 

USA and international markets 
The  price  of  milk  as  raw  material  and  the  price  of  our  products  in  the  USA,  Australia,  Argentina  and  the  United 
Kingdom, as well as in international markets, are based on market supply and demand forces. The prices are tied to 
numerous factors, such as the health of the economy and supply and demand levels for dairy products in the industry. 
Price  fluctuations  may  affect  our  results. The  effect  of  such  fluctuations  on  our  results  will  depend  on  our  ability  to 
implement mechanisms to reduce them.

Cybersecurity and Overall Management of Information systems 
We  rely  on  information  technology  applications  and  systems  in  all  areas  of  our  operations. These  applications  and 
systems,  some  of  which  are  managed  by  third  parties,  are  subject  to  an  increasing  number  of  constantly  evolving 
cyber  threats  which  are  becoming  more  sophisticated.  We  are  mainly  exposed  to  risks  relating  to  business 
disruptions, confidentiality, data integrity, and business email compromise-related fraud. Therefore, any unavailability 
or failure, due to security incidents or otherwise, may impede or slow down production, delay or taint certain decisions 
and  result  in  financial  losses.  In  addition,  any  unauthorized  access  to  information  systems,  proprietary,  sensitive  or 
confidential information, or malicious use could compromise our data integrity or result in disclosure or loss of data 
which  may  have  adverse  effects  on  our  activities,  results,  and  reputation,  including  loss  of  revenues  due  to  a 
disruption of the business, diminished competitive advantage, litigation or other legal procedures, or liability for failure 
to comply with privacy and information security laws. Although we have measures to reduce the likelihood, duration 
and  severity  of  disruptions  to  our  information  technology  applications  and  systems  and  to  identify,  respond  to,  and 
manage cybersecurity incidents, we have in the past been subject to cyber-attacks and expect that we will be subject 
to  additional  cyber-attacks  in  the  future. Also,  we  are  currently  undertaking  technology  initiatives  regarding  an  ERP 
system. There is no guarantee that the deployment of the ERP system will not disrupt or reduce the efficiency of our 
operations.

Competition 
The  food  processing  industry  is  extremely  competitive.  The  global  dairy  industry  is  highly  competitive  and  Saputo 
competes  on  a  national  and  international  basis  with  national  and  multinational  competitors.  Our  performance  in  all 
countries where we do business depends on our ability to continue to offer quality products at competitive prices. 

Consolidation of clientele 
As  the  consolidation  in  the  food  industry  in  all  the  market  segments  we  serve  continues,  customers  tend  to  grow 
larger,  which  results  in  a  decrease  in  the  number  of  customers  and  increase  in  the  relative  importance  of  some 
customers. For fiscal 2021, none of our customers represented more than 10% of total consolidated revenues. Our 
ability to continue to service our customers in all the markets that we serve will depend on the quality and price of our 
products, as well as the value proposition we offer to our customers. 

Supplier concentration 
We purchase goods and services from a limited number of suppliers as a result of consolidation within the industries 
in which these suppliers operate. The food industry supply chain in all our markets has also been under strain as a 
result of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring us to adapt. Issues with suppliers regarding pricing or performance of the 
goods  and  services  they  supply  or  the  inability  of  suppliers  to  supply  the  required  volumes  of  such  goods  and 
services in a timely manner could impact our financial condition and performance. Any such impact will depend on the 
effectiveness of our contingency plan.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 35

Unanticipated business disruption
Major  events,  such  as  systems  and  equipment  failure,  health  pandemics  (including  the  COVID-19  pandemic)  and 
natural disasters, or increased frequency or intensity of extreme weather conditions (including as a result of climate 
change), could lead to unanticipated business disruptions at any or certain of our facilities. The effect would be more 
significant if our larger manufacturing facilities are affected, in which case, the failure to find alternative suppliers or to 
replace lost production capacity in a timely manner could negatively affect our financial performance and condition.

Economic environment 
Our  operations  could  be  affected  by  the  economic  context  should  unemployment,  interest  rates,  or  inflation  reach 
levels that influence consumer trends and consequently impact our sales and profitability. 

Environment 
Saputo’s  business  and  operations  are  subject  to  environmental  laws  and  regulations,  including  those  relating  to 
permitting  requirements,  wastewater  discharges,  air  emissions,  greenhouse  gases,  releases  of  hazardous 
substances, and remediation of contaminated sites. We believe that our operations are in compliance, in all material 
respects,  with  such  environmental  laws  and  regulations,  except  as  disclosed  in  the Annual  Information  Form  dated  
June 3, 2021, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. Compliance with these laws and regulations requires that we 
continue to incur operating and maintenance costs and capital expenditures, including to control potential impacts of 
our operations on local communities. Changes in environmental laws and regulations, evolving interpretation thereof 
or  more  vigorous  regulatory  enforcement  policies  (including  as  a  result  of  increased  concern  over  climate  change, 
waste  management,  plastic  pollution,  wastewater  discharges,  air  emissions,  greenhouse  gases,  or  release  of 
hazardous  substances)  could  impose  additional  compliance  costs,  capital  expenditures,  as  well  as  other  financial 
obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and performance. 

The  potential  effects  of  climate  change  could  have  a  material  impact  on  our  business  and  operations,  including  a 
range  of  operational,  financial  and  reputational  risks.  Saputo  has  set  environmental  targets  and  has  undertaken  or 
planned  capital  expenditures  and  other  projects  to  increase  its  energy  efficiency,  reduce  its  GHG  emission,  reduce 
waste and decrease water usage. There is no assurance that our environmental and sustainability initiatives will be 
economically viable, effective or that the anticipated environmental benefits will materialize. Our ability to achieve our 
environmental  targets,  commitments  and  goals  depends  on  the  development  and  performance  of  technology, 
innovation  and  the  future  use  and  deployment  of  technology.  It  is  possible  that  the  changes  necessary  to  reduce 
emissions or waste will not be feasible or that the costs will be material, either of which could have a material adverse 
effect on Saputo’s reputation, operations or financial position. 

In addition, there is an increased focus on environmental sustainability matters, including emissions associated with 
the production of animal milk. In that regard, Saputo’s reputation could be affected if we or other stakeholders in the 
dairy industry do not act, or are perceived not to act, responsibly. 

Human resources
Saputo’s success depends on our ability to identify, attract and retain qualified and diverse individuals and to execute 
appropriate  succession  planning  for  Management  and  key  personnel.  Although  we  believe  we  have  good 
relationships  with  our  employees  and  a  significant  number  of  our  workforce  is  unionized,  a  lengthy  strike  or  work 
stoppage could impact our operations and performance. Our operations are also subject to health and safety risks as 
well  as  laws  and  regulations  in  this  regard.  Notwithstanding  Saputo’s  existing  health  and  safety  systems,  serious 
injury or death of any employee could have a serious impact on Saputo’s reputation, result in litigation and require us 
to incur costs, which may be significant.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 36

Growth strategy
We  plan  to  grow  both  organically  and  through  acquisitions.  Our  organic  growth  strategy,  which  is  outlined  in  our 
Global  Strategic  Plan,  may  fail  to  deliver  results  and  our  targeted  organic  growth  may  never  materialize.  Capital 
expenditures projects play a key role in Saputo’s organic growth strategy. The outcome and success of these projects 
often depend on several factors that are outside of our control, including new competing operational priorities, timing 
for  completion,  regulatory  and  governmental  approvals,  labour  availability,  and  weather  conditions.  In  the  event  of 
unanticipated delays or costs, business operations may be adversely affected.

We plan to continue to rely on new acquisitions to pursue our growth. The ability to properly evaluate the fair value of 
the  businesses  being  acquired  and  to  properly  devote  the  time  and  human  resources  required  to  successfully 
integrate  their  activities  with  those  of  Saputo  constitute  inherent  risks  related  to  acquisitions.  The  inability  to 
adequately integrate an acquired business in a timely and efficient manner may affect our ability to realize synergies 
or  improvements  and  to  achieve  anticipated  returns,  as  well  as  resulting  in  higher  integration  costs  and  loss  of 
business  opportunities.  In  connection  with  acquisitions  made  by  Saputo,  there  may  also  be  liabilities  and 
contingencies that we discover after closing, or are unable to quantify in the due diligence conducted prior to closing, 
and which could have a negative effect on our business, financial performance and condition. 

Consumer trends 
Demand  for  our  products  is  subject  to  changes  in  consumer  trends.  For  example,  increased  consumer  focus  on 
environmental sustainability matters, including emissions associated with the production of animal milk could result in 
a  financial  risk  if  a  growing  number  of  consumers  turn  away  from  animal-related  products  in  favour  of  plant-based 
alternatives in an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint, which may lead to lower demand for dairy products. The 
impact of these changes will depend on our ability to adapt, innovate and develop new products. 

Intellectual property
As we are involved in the production, sale and distribution of food products, we rely on brand recognition and loyalty 
from  our  clientele  in  addition  to  relying  on  the  quality  of  our  products.  Also,  as  innovation  forms  part  of  Saputo’s 
growth strategy, our research and development teams develop new technologies, products and process optimization 
methods. We, therefore, take measures to protect, maintain and enforce our intellectual property. Any infringement to 
our intellectual property could damage our value and limit our ability to compete. In addition, we may have to engage 
in litigation in order to protect our rights which could result in significant costs.

Financial risk exposures 
Saputo  has  financial  risk  exposure  to  varying  degrees  relating  to  the  currency  of  each  of  the  countries  where  it 
operates. In fiscal 2021, approximately 29% of sales were realized in Canada, 43% in the USA, 22% internationally, 
and 6% in the United Kingdom. Cash flows from operations in each of the countries where Saputo operates act, in 
part, as a natural hedge against the currency exchange risks related to debt denominated in such countries’ currency. 
The  level  of  the  financial  risk  exposure  related  to  currency  fluctuations  will  depend  on  our  ability  to  maintain 
appropriate protection mechanisms.

Interest rate and access to capital market
A  portion  of  Saputo’s  interest-bearing  debt  is  subject  to  interest  rate  fluctuations.  The  impact  on  our  results  will 
depend  on  our  ability  to  maintain  adequate  protection  against  such  interest  rate  fluctuations.  Our  growth  by 
acquisitions  is  dependent  on  access  to  liquidity  in  the  capital  markets.  Similarly,  we  may  be  required  to  access 
liquidity  in  the  capital  markets  in  order  to  refinance  or  retire  existing  indebtedness.  The  impact  of  such  financing 
transactions  on  our  results  will  depend  on  our  ability  to  secure  liquidity  in  a  timely  manner  and  on  terms  and 
conditions acceptable to it.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 37

Pension plans 
We  operate  both  defined  benefit  and  defined  contribution  plans  (collectively,  the  “Plans”).  Contributions  to  fund  our 
defined benefit Plans are based on actuarial valuations, which themselves are based on assumptions and estimates 
about the long-term operations of the Plans, including assumptions on inflation, mortality and the discount rates used 
to determine the liabilities of the Plans. Actual results of actuarial valuations may differ from expectations. We cannot 
predict  whether  changing  markets  or  economic  conditions,  changes  to  pension  legislation  and  regulations  or  other 
factors  will  increase  our  pension  expenses  or  liabilities  or  funding  obligations,  diverting  funds  we  would  otherwise 
apply to other uses. Increases in net pension liabilities or increases in future cash contributions could adversely affect 
our business, financial condition, results from operations and cash flows. 

Credit risk 
We grant credit to our customers in the normal course of business. Credit valuations are performed on a regular basis 
and the financial statements take into account an allowance for expected credit loss. We consider that our exposure 
to concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable from customers is low due to our large and diverse 
customer  base  operating  in  three  market  segments,  retail,  foodservice  and  industrial,  and  our  geographic  diversity. 
There are no accounts receivable from any individual customer that exceeded 10% of the total balance of accounts 
receivable as at March 31, 2021. We regularly review the allowance for expected credit loss and accounts receivable 
due. We update our estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts based on the evaluation of the recoverability of 
accounts  receivable  balances  of  each  customer  taking  into  consideration  historic  collection  trends  of  past  due 
accounts. 

Legislative, regulatory, normative and political considerations 
We are subject to local, provincial, state, federal and international laws, regulations, rules and policies as well as to 
social,  economic  and  political  contexts  prevailing  in  places  where  we  conduct  our  activities.  Consequently,  the 
modification or change of any of these elements may have an unfavourable impact on our results and operations and 
may  require  that  important  expenses  be  made  in  order  to  adapt  or  comply.  More  specifically,  the  production  and 
distribution of food products are subject to federal, state, provincial and local laws, rules, regulations and policies and 
to international trade agreements, all of which provide a framework for our operations. The impact of new laws and 
regulations,  stricter  enforcement  or  interpretations  or  changes  to  enacted  laws  and  regulations  will  depend  on  our 
ability to adapt thereto, comply therewith, and mitigate. We are currently in compliance in all material respects with all 
applicable laws and regulations and maintain all material permits and licenses in connection with our operations. 

Tariff protection 
Dairy-producing industries in Canada and the USA are still partially protected from imports by tariff-rate quotas which 
permit a specific volume of imports at a reduced or zero tariff and impose significant tariffs for greater quantities of 
imports. There is no guarantee that political decisions or amendments to international trade agreements will not result 
in  the  removal  of  tariff  protection  in  the  dairy  market,  resulting  in  increased  competition.  Our  performance  will  be 
dependent on our ability to continue to offer quality products at competitive prices.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 38

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

The  Chief  Executive  Officer  (CEO)  and  the  Chief  Financial  Officer  (CFO)  are  responsible  for  establishing  and 
maintaining disclosure controls and procedures. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to 
provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the Company is made known to Management in a 
timely manner to allow the information required to be disclosed under securities legislation to be recorded, processed, 
summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation. 

The  CEO  and  the  CFO,  along  with  Management,  after  evaluating  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  disclosure 
controls  and  procedures  as  at  March  31,  2021,  have  concluded  that  the  Company’s  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures were effective. 

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

The CEO and the CFO are responsible for establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting. The 
Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
IFRS.

The CEO and the CFO, along with Management, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting as at March 31, 2021, in accordance with the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated 
Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (COSO). 
Based  on  this  evaluation,  the  CEO  and  the  CFO,  along  with  Management,  have  concluded  that  the  Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting was effective. 

Saputo is taking a phased approach to its migration to a new ERP system. In order to maintain appropriate internal 
controls over financial reporting in the divisions that have migrated to the new ERP system, relevant changes have 
been made. There were no other changes to Saputo’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the 
period beginning on January 1, 2021, and ended on March 31, 2021, that have materially affected or are reasonably 
likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. 

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF INTEREST RATE AND US CURRENCY 
FLUCTUATIONS 

The debt subject to interest rate fluctuations was $919.1 million as at March 31, 2021. A 1% change in the interest 
rate  would  lead  to  a  change  in  net  earnings  of  approximately $6.8  million.  Canadian  and  US  currency  fluctuations 
may affect net earnings, adjusted EBITDA, and revenues. Appreciation of the Canadian dollar compared to the US 
dollar  would  have  a  negative  impact  on  net  earnings,  adjusted  EBITDA  and  revenues.  However,  a  decrease  in  the 
Canadian  dollar  compared  to  the  US  dollar  would  have  a  positive  impact  on  net  earnings.  During  the  fiscal  year 
ended March 31, 2021, the average US dollar conversion was based on US$1.00 for $1.3257. A fluctuation of $0.10 
of the Canadian dollar would have resulted in a change of approximately $15.1 million in net earnings, $42.8 million in 
adjusted EBITDA, and $464.8 million in revenues. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 39

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

2021 quarterly financial information – consolidated income statement
(in millions of CDN dollars, except per share amounts and ratios)

Revenues

3,438.0   

3,762.9   

3,702.2   

3,390.8   

14,293.9 

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1 Fiscal 2021

Operating costs excluding depreciation, amortization, 
inventory revaluation resulting from a business 
acquisition, and restructuring costs

Adjusted EBITDA**

Margin*

Depreciation and amortization
Impairment of intangible assets
Acquisition and restructuring costs
Financial charges
Earnings before income taxes
Income taxes
Net earnings
Margin

Impairment of intangible assets1
Acquisition and restructuring costs1 
Adjusted net earnings**

Margin*

3,135.2   
302.8   
 8.8 %
134.8   
—   
3.0   
23.3   
141.7   
38.6   
103.1   
 3.0 %

—   
2.2   
105.3   
 3.1 %

3,331.8   
431.1   

 11.5 %

3,331.7   
370.5   

 10.0 %

3,024.3   
366.5   

 10.8 %

12,823.0 
1,470.9 
 10.3 %

128.5   
—   
—   
25.5   
277.1   
67.3   
209.8   
 5.6 %

—   
—   
209.8   
 5.6 %

125.7   
—   
(6.2)   
22.8   
228.2   
57.4   
170.8   
 4.6 %

—   
(4.6)   
166.2   
 4.5 %

126.0   
19.0   
—   
25.1   
196.4   
54.5   
141.9   
 4.2 %

19.0   
—   
160.9   
 4.7 %

515.0 
19.0 
(3.2) 
96.7 
843.4 
217.8 
625.6 
 4.4 %

19.0 
(2.4) 
642.2 
 4.5 %

Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible 

assets related to business acquisitions**
Margin*

123.7   
 3.6 %

227.8   
 6.1 %

184.1   
 5.0 %

179.2   
 5.3 %

714.8 
 5.0 %

Per Share

Net earnings

Basic

Diluted

Adjusted net earnings**

Basic
Diluted

0.25   

0.25   

0.51   

0.51   

0.42   

0.42   

0.35   

0.35   

1.53 

1.52 

0.26 
0.25 

0.51 
0.51 

0.41 
0.40 

0.39 
0.39 

1.57 
1.56 

Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible 

assets related to business acquisitions**
Basic
Diluted

0.30   
0.30   

0.56   
0.55   

0.45   
0.45   

0.44   
0.44   

1.74 
1.74 

*  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis. 
**  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
1  Net of income taxes.

Selected factors positively (negatively) affecting financial performance
(in millions of CDN dollars)

Fiscal year

USA Market Factors*,1
Foreign currency exchange1,2 

Q4

(4)   

(2)   

2021

Q3

34   

—   

Q2

4   

4   

Q1

23 

(4) 

Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

*
1  As compared to same quarter last fiscal year.
2 

Foreign  currency  exchange  includes  effect  on  adjusted  EBITDA  of  conversion  of  US  dollars,  Australian  dollars,  British  pounds  sterling  and 
Argentine pesos to Canadian dollars.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020 quarterly financial information – consolidated income statement
(in millions of CDN dollars, except per share amounts and ratios)

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1 Fiscal 2020

Revenues

3,718.7   

3,890.8   

3,665.6   

3,668.4   

14,943.5 

Operating costs excluding depreciation, amortization, 
inventory revaluation resulting from a business 
acquisition, and restructuring costs

Adjusted EBITDA**

Margin*

Depreciation and amortization
Inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition
Acquisition and restructuring costs
Financial charges
Earnings before income taxes
Income taxes
Net earnings
Margin

Inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition1
Acquisition and restructuring costs1 
Adjusted net earnings**

Margin*

Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible 

assets related to business acquisitions**
Margin*

Per Share

Net earnings

Basic
Diluted

Adjusted net earnings**

Basic
Diluted

3,420.3   
298.4   
 8.0 %
127.8   
—   
13.8   
25.4   
131.4   
42.7   
88.7   

 2.4 %

—   
10.1   
98.8   

 2.7 %

3,473.8   
417.0   

 10.7 %

3,271.2   
394.4   

 10.8 %

121.8   
—   
9.4   
26.8   
259.0   
61.2   
197.8   
 5.1 %

—   
6.4   
204.2   
 5.2 %

108.8   
12.9   
0.4   
34.5   
237.8   
62.9   
174.9   
 4.8 %

10.5   
0.4   
185.8   
 5.1 %

3,310.4   
358.0   
 9.8 %
108.8   
27.2   
22.4   
28.5   
171.1   
49.7   
121.4   
 3.3 %

22.0   
21.5   
164.9   
 4.5 %

116.5   
 3.1 %

229.1   
 5.9 %

198.3   
 5.4 %

179.7   
 4.9 %

13,475.7 
1,467.8 
 9.8 %
467.2 
40.1 
46.0 
115.2 
799.3 
216.5 
582.8 
 3.9 %

32.5 
38.4 
653.7 
 4.4 %

723.6 
 4.8 %

0.22   
0.22   

0.49   
0.48   

0.44   
0.44   

0.31   
0.31   

1.46 
1.45 

0.24 
0.24 

0.50 
0.50 

0.47 
0.47 

0.42 
0.42 

1.63 
1.62 

Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible 

assets related to business acquisitions**
Basic
Diluted

0.29   
0.28   

0.56   
0.56   

0.50   
0.50   

0.46   
0.46   

1.81 
1.80 

*  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
**  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
1  Net of income taxes.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED  ANALYSIS  OF  EARNINGS  FOR  THE  YEAR  ENDED  MARCH  31, 
2020, COMPARED TO MARCH 31, 2019

Revenues

Revenues  totalled  $14.944  billion,  an  increase  of  $1.442  billion  or  10.7%,  as  compared  to  $13.502  billion  in  fiscal 
2019. 

Revenues  increased  due  to  the  contribution  of  recent  acquisitions,  including  $765.9  million  generated  by  the  Dairy 
Crest Acquisition for the 50-week period ended March 31, 2020. 

The  combined  effect  of  a  higher  average  block  market  price  and  a  lower  average  butter  market  price  increased 
revenues by approximately $351 million. The devaluation of the Argentine peso and the Australian dollar versus the 
US dollar in the export market had a positive impact on revenues. Additionally, higher international selling prices of 
cheese and dairy ingredients, a favourable product mix, as well as higher domestic selling prices in the Canada and 
International Sectors, due to the increased cost of milk as raw material, positively impacted revenues. 

These increases were partially offset by lower sales volumes as a result of competitive market conditions, mainly in 
the  fluid  milk  category  in  Canada  and  the  cheese  category  in  the  USA,  and  the  decline  of  raw  milk  availability  in 
Australia. 

Finally, the fluctuation of foreign currencies versus the Canadian dollar decreased revenues by approximately $231 
million, mainly in the International Sector and partially offset by the USA Sector.

Adjusted EBITDA*

Adjusted  EBITDA  totalled  $1.468  billion,  an  increase  of  $246.5  million  or  20.2%,  as  compared  to  $1.221  billion  in 
fiscal 2019. 

The  contribution  of  the  Dairy  Crest Acquisition  for  the  50-week  period  ended  March  31,  2020,  increased  adjusted 
EBITDA by $143.1 million. Also, adjusted EBITDA increased due to the contribution of recent acquisitions for the full 
year,  as  compared  to  partial  contributions  in  fiscal  2019,  and  the  contribution  of  the  Specialty  Cheese  Business 
Acquisition for 22 weeks in fiscal 2020. 

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected adjusted EBITDA late in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. 

Pricing initiatives in the USA Sector positively affected adjusted EBITDA through a better alignment of selling prices 
with  costs  related  to  warehousing,  delivery,  and  logistics.  Higher  international  dairy  ingredient  and  cheese  market 
prices positively impacted adjusted EBITDA. 

However,  lower  sales  volumes  as  a  result  of  competitive  market  conditions,  mainly  in  the  fluid  milk  category  in 
Canada and the cheese category in the USA, and the decline of raw milk availability in Australia negatively affected 
adjusted EBITDA and consequentially operational efficiencies.

Also, USA Market Factors** had a favourable impact of approximately $8 million. The adoption of IFRS 16, Leases 
increased  adjusted  EBITDA  by  approximately  $62  million.  Lastly,  the  fluctuation  of  foreign  currencies  versus  the 
Canadian  dollar  had  an  unfavourable  impact  on  adjusted  EBITDA  of  approximately  $36  million,  mainly  in  the 
International Sector.

The  consolidated  adjusted  EBITDA  margin  increased  to  9.8%  in  fiscal  2020,  as  compared  to  9.0%  in  fiscal  2019, 
reflecting higher adjusted EBITDA margins in the International Sector and the new contribution of the Europe Sector 
as compared to fiscal 2019.

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 42

Operating  costs  excluding  depreciation,  amortization,  inventory  revaluation  resulting 
from a business acquisition, and restructuring costs 

Operating costs excluding depreciation, amortization, inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition, and 
restructuring costs totalled $13.476 billion, an increase of $1.195 billion or 8.9%, as compared to $12.281 billion in 
fiscal 2019. 

Operating costs increased due to recent acquisitions, including $622.8 million from the Dairy Crest Acquisition for the 
50-week  period  ended  March  31,  2020,  and  the  contribution  of  the  Specialty  Cheese  Business  Acquisition  for  22 
weeks in fiscal 2020. 

The  increase  was  also  consistent  with  higher  revenues,  as  described  above,  and  higher  dairy  commodity  market 
prices, which, together, contributed to the higher cost of raw materials and consumables used. Employee salary and 
benefit expenses increased due to wage increases.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation  and  amortization  amounted  to  $467.2  million,  an  increase  of  $154.2  million,  as  compared  to  $313.0 
million for fiscal 2019. 

This increase was mainly attributable to additional depreciation and amortization related to recent acquisitions and to 
additions to property, plant and equipment, which increased the depreciable base. Also, as a result of the adoption of 
IFRS 16, Leases, depreciation of right-of-use assets represented an increase of approximately $50 million for fiscal 
2020.

Acquisition costs and restructuring costs

Acquisition costs and restructuring costs amounted to $46.0 million. Acquisition costs were related to the Dairy Crest 
Acquisition and the Specialty Cheese Business Acquisition, which included approximately $18 million of stamp duty 
taxes.

Financial charges

Net interest expense increased by $58.7 million, as compared to last fiscal year. 

These increases were mainly attributable to new debt related to the Dairy Crest Acquisition and the Specialty Cheese 
Business Acquisition, as well as higher bank loans denominated in Argentine peso, which bear higher interest rates. 
Also, as a result of the adoption of IFRS 16, Leases, interest expenses on lease liabilities pertaining to right-of-use 
assets represented an increase of approximately $15 million. 

In  accordance  with  IAS  29,  Financial  Reporting  in  Hyperinflationary  Economies,  Argentina  is  considered  a 
hyperinflationary  economy  since  July  1,  2018.  For  fiscal  2020,  the  gain  on  hyperinflation  totalled  $27.8  million. 
These gains were derived from the indexation of non-monetary assets and liabilities.

Income taxes

Income taxes totalled $216.5 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 27.1% as compared to 23.4% for fiscal 2019. 

The increase in the effective tax rate in fiscal 2020 was mainly attributable to an income tax expense of $17.3 million 
due to the increase in the corporate income tax rate in the United Kingdom. 

The effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 also reflected the income tax benefits of $6.7 million and $3.5 million related to a 
tax inflation adjustment pursuant to Argentine tax legislation and the decrease in provincial income taxes in Canada, 
respectively. In fiscal year 2019, the effective tax rate was positively impacted as a portion of a gain on the disposition 
of assets was not taxable. 

Excluding  the  effects  of  these  factors,  the  effective  tax  rates  for  the  fiscal  years  2020  and  2019  would  have  been 
26.2% and 26.0%, respectively. The effective tax rate varies and could increase or decrease based on the amount 
and source of taxable income, amendments to tax legislations and income tax rates, changes in assumptions, as well 
as estimates used by Saputo and its affiliates for the computation of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities.

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 43

Net earnings

Net earnings totalled $582.8 million, a decrease of $172.5 million or 22.8%, as compared to $755.3 million in fiscal 
2019. This decrease was due to the aforementioned factors, as well as to the non-recurring after-tax gain of $167.8 
million from the sale of the Burnaby, British Columbia facility, recorded in fiscal 2019. 

Adjusted  net  earnings  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business 
acquisitions*

Adjusted  net  earnings  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions*  totalled  $723.6 
million, an increase of $68.5 million or 10.5%, as compared to $655.1 million in fiscal 2019. This increase was due to 
the aforementioned factors. 

*  See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the reconciliations to IFRS measures.
**  Refer to the ‘‘Glossary’’ section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 44

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

We report our financial results in accordance with IFRS. However, we use the following non-IFRS financial measures 
to explain our financial performance:

•
•
•
•
•

adjusted EBITDA;
adjusted net earnings;
adjusted net earnings per share; 
adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions; and
adjusted net earnings per share excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions.

These non-IFRS financial measures have no standardized meaning under IFRS and are not likely to be comparable 
to similar measures presented by other issuers. Non-IFRS financial measures should not be viewed as a substitute 
for the related financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS. The components of each non-IFRS financial 
measure used for the three-month periods and years ended March 31, 2021, and 2020, are described below and are 
subject  to  change  based  on  future  transactions  or  where  Management  deems  necessary  to  provide  a  better 
understanding and comparability of future results and activities of Saputo. 

Adjusted EBITDA

We  believe  that  adjusted  EBITDA  provides  investors  with  useful  information  because  it  is  a  common  industry 
measure and it is also a key metric of the Company's operational and financial performance. The adjustments made 
to adjusted EBITDA, including the impairment of intangible assets which is of an unusual nature, are not indicative of 
core business activities. We use, and believe that investors and analysts also use, adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the 
performance  of  the  business.  Adjusted  EBITDA  is  also  a  component  in  the  determination  of  short-term  incentive 
compensation for management.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three-month periods and years ended March 31, 2021, and 2020, is equivalent to earnings 
before  interest,  income  taxes,  depreciation,  amortization,  impairment  of  intangible  assets,    inventory  revaluation 
resulting from a business acquisition, and acquisition and restructuring costs, as this financial measure is presented 
in the consolidated income statement and, with respect to Saputo's reportable segments, in the notes to the financial 
statements. 

The following table provides a reconciliation of earnings before income taxes to adjusted EBITDA.

(in millions of CDN dollars) 

Earnings before income taxes

Financial charges1
Inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition

Acquisition and restructuring costs

Impairment of intangible assets

Depreciation and amortization

Adjusted EBITDA

For the three-month periods
 ended March 31

For the years
ended March 31

2021

141.7   

23.3   

—   

3.0   

—   

134.8   

302.8   

2020

131.4   

25.4   

—   

13.8   

—   

127.8   

298.4   

2021

843.4   

96.7   

—   

(3.2)   

19.0   

2020

799.3 

115.2 

40.1 

46.0 

— 

515.0   

1,470.9   

467.2 

1,467.8 

1 

Includes gain on hyperinflation. Refer to Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2021, for more information.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net earnings and other non‑IFRS financial measures used 

Management believes that adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible assets 
related  to  business  acquisitions,  adjusted  net  earnings  per  share  and  adjusted  net  earnings  per  share  excluding 
amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions  provide  useful  information  to  investors  because 
these financial measures provide precision with regards to our ongoing operations. They also provide readers with a 
representation  of  the  activities  considered  of  relevance  to  the  Company's  financial  performance  and  additional 
financial information that can be used to identify trends or additional disclosures about the way Saputo operates, as 
well  as  comparability  to  prior  year  results.  Management  also  believes  that  in  the  context  of  highly  acquisitive 
companies,  adjusted  net  earnings  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions  and 
adjusted net earnings per share excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions (due to 
the application of various accounting policies in relation to the amortization of acquired intangible assets) are more 
effective measures to assess performance against its peer group. 

The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings and net earnings per share to adjusted net earnings and 
adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions. 

(in millions of CDN dollars, except per share amounts) 

Net earnings
Acquisition and restructuring costs1
Adjusted net earnings
Amortization of intangible assets related to 

business acquisitions1

Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization 
of intangible assets related to business 
acquisitions
1  Net of income taxes

For the three-month periods ended March 31

2021

Per Share

2020

Per Share

Total

103.1   

2.2   

105.3   

Basic

Diluted

Total

Basic

Diluted

0.25   

0.01   

0.26   

0.25   

0.01   

0.25   

88.7   

10.1   

98.8   

0.22   

0.02   

0.24   

0.22 

0.02 

0.24 

18.4   

0.04   

0.04   

17.7   

0.04   

0.04 

123.7   

0.30   

0.30   

116.5   

0.29   

0.28 

(in millions of CDN dollars, except per share amounts) 

Net earnings
Impairment of intangible assets1
Inventory revaluation resulting from a 

business acquisition1

Acquisition and restructuring costs1
Adjusted net earnings
Amortization of intangible assets related to 

business acquisitions1

Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization 
of intangible assets related to business 
acquisitions
1  Net of income taxes

2021

Per Share

For the years ended March 31

2020

Per Share

Total

625.6   

19.0   

—   

(2.4)   

642.2   

Basic

Diluted

Total

Basic

Diluted

1.53   

0.05   

—   

(0.01)   

1.57   

1.52   

0.05   

—   

(0.01)   

1.56   

582.8   

—   

32.5   

38.4   

653.7   

1.46   

—   

0.08   

0.10   

1.63   

1.45 

— 

0.08 

0.10 

1.62 

72.6   

0.18   

0.18   

69.9   

0.17   

0.17 

714.8   

1.74   

1.74   

723.6   

1.81   

1.80 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GLOSSARY

Adjusted EBITDA
"Adjusted  EBITDA"  means  earnings  before  interest,  income  taxes,  depreciation,  amortization,  impairment  of 
intangible assets, inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition, and acquisition and restructuring costs. 

Adjusted EBITDA margin
"Adjusted EBITDA margin" means adjusted EBITDA expressed as a percentage of revenues. 

Adjusted net earnings
"Adjusted  net  earnings"  means  net  earnings  prior  to  the  inclusion  of  impairment  of  intangible  assets,  inventory 
revaluations resulting from a business acquisition, and acquisition and restructuring costs, net of applicable income 
taxes. 

Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions 
"Adjusted net earnings excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions" means adjusted 
net  earnings  prior  to  the  inclusion  of  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions,  net  of 
applicable income taxes.

Adjusted net earnings margin
"Adjusted net earnings margin" means adjusted net earnings expressed as a percentage of revenues. 

Adjusted net earnings margin excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business 
acquisitions
"Adjusted  net  earnings  margin  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions"  means 
adjusted  net  earnings  excluding  amortization  of  intangible  assets  related  to  business  acquisitions  expressed  as  a 
percentage of revenues. 

Adjusted net earnings per share 
"Adjusted  net  earnings  per  share"  (basic  and  diluted)  means  adjusted  net  earnings  per  basic  and  diluted  common 
share. 

Adjusted net earnings per share excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business 
acquisitions  
"Adjusted net earnings per share excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions" (basic 
and diluted) means adjusted net earnings per basic and diluted common share prior to the inclusion of amortization of 
intangible assets related to business acquisitions, net of applicable income taxes.

Adjusted return on average equity
"Adjusted return on average equity" means adjusted net earnings divided by average total equity, not considering the 
effect of annual fluctuations in foreign currency translation.

Average whey powder market price
"Average whey powder market price" means the average daily price for a pound of extra grade dry whey published on 
Daily Dairy Report.

Block market price
"Block market price" means the price per pound of a spot contract for cheddar cheese in 40-pound blocks traded on 
the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) published in the Daily Dairy Report, used as the base price for cheese.

Butter market price
"Butter market price" means the price per pound of a spot contract for Grade AA Butter traded on the CME published 
in the Daily Dairy Report, used as the base price for butter.

EPS
"EPS" means net earnings per share.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 47

Net debt
"Net debt" means long-term debt, lease liabilities, and bank loans, including the current portion thereof, net of cash 
and cash equivalents.

Net debt to adjusted EBITDA
"Net debt to adjusted EBITDA" means net debt divided by adjusted EBITDA.

Net earnings margin
"Net earnings margin" means net earnings expressed as a percentage of revenues. 

Spread
"Spread" means the difference between the average block market price and the average cost of the corresponding 
quantity of Class III milk in the USA market based on the milk prices published by the United States Department of 
Agriculture. 

USA Market Factors
"USA Market Factors" include, for the USA Sector, the average block market price and its effect on the absorption of 
fixed costs and on the realization of inventories, the effect of the relation between the average block market price and 
the cost of milk as raw material, the market pricing impact related to sales of dairy ingredients, as well as the impact 
of the average butter market price related to dairy food products.

Working capital 
"Working capital" means current assets minus current liabilities.

Working capital ratio
"Working capital ratio" means current assets divided by current liabilities.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 48

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

MANAGEMENT’S STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING 

Management  is  responsible  for  the  preparation  and  presentation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the 
financial information presented in this annual report. This responsibility includes the selection of accounting policies 
and  practices  and  making  judgments  and  estimates  necessary  to  prepare  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. 

Management has also prepared the financial information presented elsewhere in this annual report and has ensured 
that it is consistent with the consolidated financial statements. 

Management  maintains  systems  of  internal  control  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  assets  are 
safeguarded and that relevant and reliable financial information is being produced.

The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that Management fulfills its responsibilities for financial reporting 
and is responsible for reviewing and approving the consolidated financial statements. The Board of Directors carries 
out this responsibility principally through its Audit Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors. The 
Audit  Committee  meets  periodically  with  Management  and  the  independent  auditor  to  discuss  internal  controls, 
auditing matters and financial reporting issues. It also reviews the annual report, the consolidated financial statements 
and the independent auditor’s report. The Audit Committee recommends the independent auditor for appointment by 
the  shareholders.  The  independent  auditor  have  unrestricted  access  to  the  Audit  Committee.  The  consolidated 
financial statements have been audited by the independent auditor Deloitte LLP, whose report follows. 

(signed) Lino A. Saputo
Lino A. Saputo 
Chair of the Board 
and Chief Executive Officer  

(signed) Maxime Therrien
Maxime Therrien, CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer 
and Secretary

June 3, 2021

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Saputo Inc.

Opinion

We  have  audited  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  Saputo  Inc.  (the  "Company"),  which  comprise  the 
consolidated  statements  of  financial  position  as  at  March  31,  2021  and  2020,  and  the  consolidated  income 
statements, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years then 
ended,  and  notes  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  including  a  summary  of  significant  accounting  policies 
(collectively referred to as the "financial statements").

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
the  Company  as  at  March  31,  2021  and  2020,  and  its  financial  performance  and  its  cash  flows  for  the  years  then 
ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards ("Canadian GAAS"). Our 
responsibilities  under  those  standards  are  further  described  in  the  Auditor’s  Responsibilities  for  the  Audit  of  the 
Financial  Statements  section  of  our  report.  We  are  independent  of  the  Company  in  accordance  with  the  ethical 
requirements  that  are  relevant  to  our  audit  of  the  financial  statements  in  Canada,  and  we  have  fulfilled  our  other 
ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained 
is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Key Audit Matter

A  key  audit  matter  is  a  matter  that,  in  our  professional  judgment,  was  of  most  significance  in  our  audit  of  the 
consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2021. This matter was addressed in the context of our 
audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on this matter. 

Goodwill —Dairy Division (Australia) and Dairy Division (UK) — Refer to Notes 3 and 8 to the consolidated 
financial statements

Key Audit Matter Description

The  Company’s  evaluation  of  goodwill  for  impairment  involves  the  comparison  of  the  carrying  values  of  cash-
generating  units  (“CGUs”)  or  group  of  CGUs,  including  goodwill,  with  their  respective  recoverable  amounts.  The 
recoverable  amounts  of  the  Dairy  Division  (Australia)  and  Dairy  Division  (UK)  CGUs  are  estimated  based  on  the 
higher  of  its  value  in  use  using  a  discounted  cashflow  model  or  fair  value  less  costs  of  disposals  using  a  multiple 
earnings method. This requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to the forecasted 
revenues and associated earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) margins, 
terminal growth rates and discount rates, used in the discounted cashflow model and EBITDA multiples used in the 
multiple earnings method.  Changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on the determination of the 
recoverable  amounts.  The  recoverable  amounts  of  these  CGUs  exceeded  their  carrying  values  as  of  the 
measurement date, and therefore no impairment was recognized. 

While  there  are  several  estimates  and  assumptions  that  are  required  to  estimate  the  recoverable  amounts  of  the 
Dairy Division (Australia) and Dairy Division (UK) CGUs, the estimates and assumptions with the highest degree of 
subjectivity related to the forecasted revenues and associated EBITDA margins, terminal growth rates, discount rates 
and  EBITDA  multiples.  Performing  audit  procedures  to  evaluate  the  reasonableness  of  these  estimates  and 
assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of audit effort, including the need to 
involve valuation specialists. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 50

How the Key Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our  audit  procedures  related  to  the  forecasted  revenues  and  associated  EBITDA  margins,  terminal  growth  rates, 
discount rates and EBITDA multiples used by management to estimate the recoverable amount of the Dairy Division 
(Australia) and the Dairy Division (UK) CGUs included the following, among others:

•

•

Evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast revenues and EBITDA margins by comparing actual 
results to management’s historical forecasts. 
Evaluated  the  reasonableness  of  management’s  forecasted  revenues  and  EBITDA  margins  by  comparing 
the forecasts to:

◦
◦

◦

Historical revenues and EBITDA margins.
Internal  communications  to  senior  leadership  and  to  the  Board  of  Directors  detailing  business 
strategies and growth plans.
Forecasted revenue growth rates in analysts and industry reports that are publicly available. 

• With the assistance of our valuation specialists evaluated the reasonableness of the:

◦

◦

◦

Terminal growth rates by developing a range of independent estimates using available industry data 
and expected long term inflation rates and comparing those to the terminal growth rates selected by 
management.
Discount rates by testing the source information underlying the determination of the discount rates 
and  developing  a  range  of  independent  estimates  and  comparing  those  to  the  discount  rates 
selected by management.
EBITDA  multiples  by  developing  an  independent  range  of  estimates  using  available  market 
information from third party sources and recent transactions, if applicable and comparing those to 
the EBITDA multiples selected by management.

Other Information
Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises: 

• Management’s Discussion and Analysis

•

The information, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon, in the Annual Report. 

Our  opinion  on  the  financial  statements  does  not  cover  the  other  information  and  we  do  not  express  any  form  of 
assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the 
other information identified above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

We obtained Management's Discussion and Analysis and the Annual Report prior to the date of this auditor’s report. 
If, based on the work we have performed on this other information, we conclude that there is a material misstatement 
of this other information, we are required to report that fact in this auditor’s report. We have nothing to report in this 
regard.

Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance  with 
IFRS,  and  for  such  internal  control  as  management  determines  is  necessary  to  enable  the  preparation  of  financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as 
a  going  concern,  disclosing,  as  applicable,  matters  related  to  going  concern  and  using  the  going  concern  basis  of 
accounting  unless  management  either  intends  to  liquidate  the  Company  or  to  cease  operations,  or  has  no  realistic 
alternative but to do so.

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Company's financial reporting process.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 51

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 
material  misstatement,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error,  and  to  issue  an  auditor’s  report  that  includes  our  opinion. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with 
Canadian  GAAS  will  always  detect  a  material  misstatement  when  it  exists.  Misstatements  can  arise  from  fraud  or 
error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence 
the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian GAAS, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional 
skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

•

•

•

•

•

•

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or 
error,  design  and  perform  audit  procedures  responsive  to  those  risks,  and  obtain  audit  evidence  that  is 
sufficient  and  appropriate  to  provide  a  basis  for  our  opinion.  The  risk  of  not  detecting  a  material 
misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, 
forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are 
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of 
the Company's internal control. 
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates 
and related disclosures made by management.
Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based 
on  the  audit  evidence  obtained,  whether  a  material  uncertainty  exists  related  to  events  or  conditions  that 
may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a 
material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures 
in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are 
based  on  the  audit  evidence  obtained  up  to  the  date  of  our  auditor’s  report.  However,  future  events  or 
conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate  the  overall  presentation,  structure  and  content  of  the  financial  statements,  including  the 
disclosures,  and  whether  the  financial  statements  represent  the  underlying  transactions  and  events  in  a 
manner that achieves fair presentation.
Obtain  sufficient  appropriate  audit  evidence  regarding  the  financial  information  of  the  entities  or  business 
activities within the Company to express an opinion on the financial statements. We are responsible for the 
direction,  supervision  and  performance  of  the  group  audit.  We  remain  solely  responsible  for  our  audit 
opinion. 

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing 
of  the  audit  and  significant  audit  findings,  including  any  significant  deficiencies  in  internal  control  that  we  identify 
during our audit.

We  also  provide  those  charged  with  governance  with  a  statement  that  we  have  complied  with  relevant  ethical 
requirements  regarding  independence,  and  to  communicate  with  them  all  relationships  and  other  matters  that  may 
reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most 
significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit 
matters. We describe these matters in our auditor's report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about 
the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our 
report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest 
benefits of such communication.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Gianmarco Lombardi.

/s/ Deloitte LLP1

Montréal, Québec
June 3, 2021
___________________

1 CPA auditor, CA, public accountancy permit No. A125494 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 52

 CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

(in millions of CDN dollars, except per share amounts)

Years ended March 31

Revenues (Note 24)

2021

2020

$ 

14,293.9  $ 

14,943.5 

Operating costs excluding depreciation, amortization, inventory revaluation resulting from a 

business acquisition, and restructuring costs  (Note 5)

12,823.0   

13,475.7 

Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment of 

intangible assets, inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition, and 
acquisition and restructuring costs

Depreciation and amortization

Impairment of intangible assets (Note 8)

Inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition (Note 18)

Acquisition and restructuring costs (Note 23)

Financial charges (Note 14)

Earnings before income taxes

Income taxes (Note 15)

Net earnings

Net earnings per share (Note 16)

Basic

Diluted

1,470.9   

515.0   

19.0   

—   

(3.2)   

96.7   

843.4   

217.8   

625.6  $ 

1,467.8 

467.2 

— 

40.1 

46.0 

115.2 

799.3 

216.5 

582.8 

1.53  $ 

1.52  $ 

1.46 

1.45 

$ 

$ 

$ 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

(in millions of CDN dollars)

Years ended March 31

Net earnings

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

Items that may be reclassified to net earnings:

Exchange differences arising from foreign currency translation

Inflation effect arising from the application of hyperinflation

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges (Note 17)

Reclassification of (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to 
     net earnings

     Income taxes relating to items that may be reclassified to
           net earnings

Items that will not be reclassified to net earnings:

Actuarial (loss) income (Note 19)

     Income taxes relating to items that will not be reclassified to 
           net earnings

Other comprehensive (loss) income

Total comprehensive income

2021

2020

$ 

625.6  $ 

582.8 

(450.2)   

(7.8)   

61.9   

94.3 

(8.5) 

(76.6) 

(6.5)   

24.5 

(15.5)   

(418.1)   

14.1 

47.8 

(215.3)   

83.8 

41.3   

(174.0)   

(592.1)   

33.5  $ 

$ 

(16.9) 

66.9 

114.7 

697.5 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(in millions of CDN dollars, except common shares)

For the year ended March 31, 2021

Share capital

Reserves

Common 
Shares

Amount

Foreign 
Currency 
Translation

Cash Flow 
Hedges

Stock 
Option 
Plan

Total 
Reserves

Retained 
Earnings

Total 
Equity

Balance, beginning of year

 408,638,373  $ 

1,685.7 

$ 

667.9  $ 

(40.3)  $ 

150.8  $ 

778.4  $ 

4,095.0  $ 

6,559.1 

Net earnings

Other comprehensive (loss) income

Total comprehensive income

Dividends (Note 13)

Stock options (Note 13)

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

Exercise of stock options (Note 13)

  1,347,041 

40.5 

Shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan           

  2,348,157 

80.3 

— 

(458.0)   

— 

39.9 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

22.3 

— 

22.3 

(6.8)   

(6.8)   

— 

— 

33.5 

(284.9)   

(284.9) 

— 

— 

— 

22.3 

33.7 

80.3 

— 

625.6 

625.6 

(418.1)   

(174.0)   

(592.1) 

(Note 13)

Balance, end of year

For the year ended March 31, 2020

 412,333,571  $ 

1,806.5 

$ 

209.9  $ 

(0.4)  $ 

166.3  $ 

375.8  $ 

4,261.7 

6,444.0 

Share capital

Reserves

Common 
Shares

Amount

Foreign 
Currency 
Translation

Cash Flow 
Hedges

Stock 
Option 
Plan

Total 
Reserves

Retained 
Earnings

Total 
Equity

Balance, beginning of year

 390,198,386  $ 

991.7 

$ 

582.1  $ 

(2.3)  $ 

134.0  $ 

713.8  $ 

3,715.0  $ 

5,420.5 

Net earnings

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

85.8 

— 

(38.0)   

Shares issued under Equity Offering – net of issuance 
costs (Note 13)

  16,642,553 

639.9 

Dividends (Note 13)

Stock options (Note 13)

— 

— 

— 

— 

Exercise of stock options (Note 13)

  1,797,434 

54.1 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

47.8 

582.8 

66.9 

582.8 

114.7 

697.5 

— 

— 

— 

639.9 

(269.7)   

(269.7) 

23.7 

23.7 

(6.9)   

(6.9)   

— 

— 

23.7 

47.2 

Balance, end of year

 408,638,373  $ 

1,685.7 

$ 

667.9  $ 

(40.3)  $ 

150.8  $ 

778.4  $ 

4,095.0 

6,559.1 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(in millions of CDN dollars)

As at

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Inventories (Note 4)

Income taxes receivable (Note 15)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

Property, plant and equipment (Note 6)

Right-of-use assets (Note 7)

Goodwill (Note 8)

Intangible assets (Note 8)

Other assets (Note 9)

Deferred income taxes (Note 15)

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Bank loans (Note 10)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Income taxes payable (Note 15)

Current portion of long-term debt (Note 11)

Current portion of lease liabilities (Note 7)

Long-term debt (Note 11) 

Lease liabilities (Note 7)

Other liabilities (Note 12)

Deferred income taxes (Note 15)

Total liabilities

EQUITY

Share capital (Note 13)

Reserves

Retained earnings

Total equity

Total liabilities and equity

$ 

$ 

$ 

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

308.7  $ 

1,217.3   

2,294.2   

34.7   

92.7   

3,947.6   

3,777.3   

481.6   

3,066.1   

1,516.8   

319.7   

13.7   

319.4 

1,371.8 

2,220.9 

50.3 

106.6 

4,069.0 

3,850.0 

417.9 

3,219.5 

1,640.7 

545.3 

50.7 

13,122.8  $ 

13,793.1 

75.6  $ 

1,641.1   

54.2   

300.0   

75.1   

2,146.0   

3,277.8   

385.9   

115.9   

753.2   

528.5 

1,838.9 

51.4 

— 

74.7 

2,493.5 

3,542.3 

340.1 

98.5 

759.6 

$ 

6,678.8  $ 

7,234.0 

1,806.5   

375.8   

4,261.7   
6,444.0  $ 

1,685.7 

778.4 

4,095.0 
6,559.1 

13,122.8  $ 

13,793.1 

$ 

$ 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

On behalf of the Board,

(signed) Lino A. Saputo
Lino A. Saputo 
Chair of the Board 
and Chief Executive Officer  

(signed) Tony Meti
Tony Meti
Director 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 56

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions of CDN dollars)

Years ended March 31

Cash flows related to the following activities:

Operating

Net earnings
Adjustments for:

Stock-based compensation
Financial charges (Note 14)
Income tax expense
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment of intangible assets (Note 8)
(Gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Impairment charges related to plant closures 

Inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition
Foreign exchange loss (gain) on debt
Share of joint venture earnings, net of dividends received

Difference between funding of post-employment benefit plans and costs
Changes in non-cash operating working capital items
Cash generated from operating activities
Interest and financial charges paid
Income taxes paid
Net cash generated from operating activities

Investing

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Additions to property, plant and equipment
Additions to intangible assets
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
Net cash used for investing activities

Financing

Bank loans
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Repayment of long-term debt
Repayment of lease liabilities
Net proceeds from issuance of share capital
Payment of dividends 
Net cash (used for) generated from financing activities

Decrease (increase) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
Effect of inflation
Effect of exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

2021

2020

$ 

625.6  $ 

582.8 

36.2   
96.7   
217.8   
515.0   
19.0   

(6.4)   

—   

—   
44.4   

(0.9)   

(1.4)   
(233.3)   
1,312.7   
(111.3)   
(123.3)   
1,078.1  $ 

—   
(379.5)   
(53.5)   
45.6   
(387.4)  $ 

(444.4)   
1,084.3   
(1,093.2)   
(79.5)   
32.7   
(204.6)   
(704.7)  $ 

(14.0)   
319.4   
15.9   
(12.6)   
308.7  $ 

33.5 
115.2 
216.5 
467.2 
— 

(2.0) 

12.9 

40.1 
(47.2) 

11.5 

(8.3) 
(106.7) 
1,315.5 
(139.0) 
(139.6) 
1,036.9 

(1,929.6) 
(509.9) 
(66.4) 
11.0 
(2,494.9) 

404.3 
2,461.5 
(1,546.5) 
(90.7) 
684.9 
(269.7) 
1,643.8 

185.8 
112.7 
25.4 
(4.5) 
319.4 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Years ended March 31, 2021, and 2020.

(Tabular amounts are in millions of CDN dollars except information on options, units and shares.) 

NOTE 1  CORPORATE INFORMATION 

Saputo  Inc.  (the  Company)  is  a  publicly  traded  company  incorporated  and  domiciled  in  Canada.  The  Company’s 
shares  are  listed  on  the  Toronto  Stock  Exchange  under  the  symbol  “SAP.”  The  Company  produces,  markets,  and 
distributes  a  wide  array  of  dairy  products  from  Canada,  the  United  States,  Australia,  Argentina,  and  the  United 
Kingdom. The  address  of  the  Company’s  head  office  is  6869  Metropolitain  Blvd.  East,  Montréal,  Québec,  Canada, 
H1P  1X8.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  (financial  statements)  of  the  Company  for  the  fiscal  year  ended 
March 31, 2021, comprise the financial results of the Company and its subsidiaries. 

The  financial  statements  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2021,  were  authorized  for  issuance  by  the  Board  of 
Directors on June 3, 2021.

NOTE 2  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS).

BASIS OF MEASUREMENT
The  Company’s  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  a  historical  cost  basis  except  for  certain  financial 
instruments that are measured at fair value as described in Note 3, Significant accounting policies.

FUNCTIONAL AND PRESENTATION CURRENCY 
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is also the consolidated 
entity’s functional currency. All financial information has been rounded to the nearest million unless stated otherwise.

NOTE 3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  the  Company  and  entities  under  its  control.  Control 
exists when an entity is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with investees and has the 
ability  to  affect  those  returns  through  its  power  over  them. All  intercompany  transactions  and  balances  have  been 
eliminated.  Investments  over  which  the  Company  has  effective  control  are  consolidated.  The  operating  results  of 
acquired businesses, from their respective acquisition dates, are included in the consolidated income statements.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash  and  cash  equivalents  consist  primarily  of  cash  and  short-term  investments  having  an  initial  maturity  of  three 
months or less at the time of acquisition.

INVENTORIES
Finished goods, raw materials and work in process are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, cost being 
determined using the first in, first out method.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 58

 
NOTE 3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT'D)

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses and are 
depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as described below: 

Buildings

Furniture, machinery and equipment

Rolling stock

5 to 10 years based on estimated kilometers traveled

15 to 40 years

3 to 20 years

Where components of an item of building or furniture, machinery and equipment are individually significant, they are 
accounted for separately within the categories described above.

Assets  held  for  sale  are  recorded  at  the  lower  of  their  carrying  amount  or  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell,  and  no 
depreciation is recorded. Assets under construction are not depreciated. Borrowing costs are capitalized to qualifying 
property, plant and equipment, if any, where the period of construction of those assets takes a substantial period of 
time to get ready for their intended use. Borrowing costs, if incurred, are added to the cost of those assets until such 
time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use.

For the purposes of impairment testing, property, plant and equipment are tested at the cash-generating unit (CGU) 
level. Write-downs, if any, are included in “depreciation and amortization” or “restructuring costs” in the consolidated 
income statements.

RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND LEASE LIABILITIES
Leases are recognized as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability at the commencement date. Each 
lease  payment  is  allocated  between  a  reduction  of  the  liability  and  finance  cost.  The  finance  cost  is  recognized  in 
‘‘Financial charges’’ in the consolidated income statements over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic 
rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The lease liability is measured at the present 
value of lease payments to be made, discounted using the incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement 
date  if  the  interest  rate  implicit  in  the  lease  is  not  readily  available. The  period  over  which  the  lease  payments  are 
discounted is the non-cancellable period for which the lessee has the right to use the underlying asset together with 
the  renewal  options  that  the  Company  is  reasonably  certain  to  exercise.  The  period  needs  to  also  consider 
termination  options  that  the  Company  is  reasonably  certain  not  to  exercise.  Renewal  options  are  included  in  a 
number of leases across the Company. Lease payments include fixed payments less any lease incentives receivable, 
variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate and amounts expected to be paid under residual value 
guarantees.  The  lease  payments  also  include  the  exercise  price  of  a  purchase  option  reasonably  certain  to  be 
exercised and payment of penalties for termination of a lease. 

Right-of-use  assets  are  measured  at  cost,  which  is  calculated  as  the  amount  of  the  initial  measurement  of  lease 
liability plus any lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, any initial direct costs and related 
restoration costs. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on 
a  straight-line  basis.  If  a  lease  transfers  ownership  of  the  underlying  asset  or  if  it  is  reasonably  certain  at  the 
commencement of the lease arrangement that the Company will exercise its purchase option, the related right-of-use 
asset is depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset. The depreciation starts at the commencement date of 
the lease.

Costs associated with short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are included in the consolidated income 
statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 59

NOTE 3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT'D)

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill  represents  the  excess  of  the  consideration  transferred  in  a  given  acquisition  over  the  fair  value  of  the 
identifiable net assets acquired and is initially recorded at that value. Goodwill is subsequently carried at cost less any 
impairment. 

Intangible assets include trademarks, customer relationships, and software that is not an integral part of the related 
hardware.  Intangible  assets  are  initially  recorded  at  their  transaction  fair  values.  Definite  life  intangible  assets  are 
subsequently  carried  at  cost  less  accumulated  amortization  and  less  impairment  losses,  if  any.  Indefinite  life 
intangible  assets,  including  goodwill,  are  not  amortized.  However,  they  are  tested  for  impairment  annually  or  more 
frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired.

When  testing  goodwill  for  impairment,  the  carrying  values  of  the  CGU’s  or  group  of  CGU’s,  including  goodwill,  are 
compared with their respective recoverable amounts (higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use) and 
an impairment loss, if any, is recognized for the excess. 

Trademarks are considered to be definite life intangible assets and are amortized using the straight-line method over 
their  useful  lives  which  vary  from  15  to  25  years  and  are  reviewed  for  indicators  of  impairment  at  each  reporting 
period.  Customer  relationships  and  software  are  considered  to  be  definite  life  intangible  assets  and  are  amortized 
using the straight-line method over their useful lives which vary from 3 to 15 years and are reviewed for indicators of 
impairment at each reporting period. 

Refer to “Impairment Testing of Cash-Generating Units” in Note 8 for a discussion of the CGU levels at which goodwill 
and intangible assets are tested.

IMPAIRMENT OF OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS
Other long-lived assets are subject to an “indicators of impairment” test at each reporting period. In the event of an 
indication of impairment, the asset or group of assets (referred to as CGU’s), for which identifiable cash flows that are 
largely  independent  of  the  cash  inflows  from  other  assets  or  group  of  assets  exist,  are  tested  for  impairment. An 
impairment  loss  is  recorded  in  net  earnings  when  the  carrying  value  exceeds  the  recoverable  amount.  The 
recoverable amount is defined as the greater of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
The Company accounts for its business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method, 
the Company allocates the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based 
on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, with the excess of the purchase price amount allocated to goodwill.

Debt issuance costs directly related to the funding of business acquisitions are included in the carrying value of the 
debt  and  are  amortized  over  the  related  debt  term  using  the  effective  interest  rate  method.  Acquisition  costs  are 
expensed as incurred. 

EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS
The cost of defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefits is actuarially determined annually on March 31 
using the projected unit credit method and using Management’s best estimates of rates of compensation increases, 
retirement  ages  of  employees,  and  expected  health  care  costs.  Key  assumptions  made  when  valuing  the  defined 
benefit  obligation  include  the  discount  rate,  duration  of  the  plan,  inflation,  and  mortality,  amongst  others. Actuarial 
gains or losses, the effect of an adjustment, if any, on the maximum amount recognized as an asset and the impact of 
the minimum funding requirements, are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and immediately recognized 
in retained earnings without subsequent reclassification to the consolidated income statements. Current service costs 
and past service costs are included in the consolidated income statements. Past service costs are recognized at the 
earlier  of  the  date  of  the  plan  amendment  or  curtailment.  Interest  on  obligations  offset  by  interest  income  on  plan 
assets are included in financial charges in the consolidated income statements. The net pension expenditure under 
defined contribution pension plans is generally equal to the contributions made by the employer.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 60

NOTE 3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT'D)

REVENUE RECOGNITION 
The  Company  recognizes  revenue  when  control  of  the  asset  is  transferred  to  the  customer,  the  vast  majority  upon 
shipment  of  products.  Revenue  is  measured  at  the  amount  of  consideration  to  which  the  Company  expects  to  be 
entitled  to.  Sales  are  net  of  a  provision  for  variable  consideration  of  estimated  allowances  and  sales  incentives 
provided  to  customers,  such  that  it  is  highly  probable  that  a  significant  reversal  will  not  occur  once  the  uncertainty 
related to the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. 

The value of sales incentives provided to customers are estimated using historical trends and are recognized at the 
time of sale as a reduction of revenue. Sales incentives include discounts, promotions, advertising allowances, and 
other volume-based incentives. In subsequent periods, the Company monitors the performance of customers against 
agreed upon obligations related to sales incentive programs and makes any adjustments to both revenue and sales 
incentive accruals as required.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The  Company’s  functional  currency  is  the  Canadian  dollar.  Accordingly,  the  financial  position  accounts  of  foreign 
operations are translated into Canadian dollars using the exchange rates at the financial position dates and income 
statements accounts are translated into Canadian dollars using the average monthly exchange rates in effect during 
the periods. The foreign currency translation adjustment (CTA) reserve presented in the consolidated statements of 
comprehensive  income  and  the  consolidated  statements  of  changes  in  equity,  represents  accumulated  foreign 
currency gains (losses) on the Company’s net investments in companies operating outside Canada. The change in 
the unrealized gains (losses) on translation of the financial statements of foreign operations for the periods presented 
resulted from the fluctuation in value of the Canadian dollar as compared to the US dollar, the Australian dollar, the 
Argentine peso and the British pound.

Foreign  currency  accounts  of  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  are  translated  using  the  exchange  rates  at  the 
financial  position  dates  for  monetary  assets  and  liabilities,  and  at  the  prevailing  exchange  rates  at  the  time  of 
transactions for income and expenses. Non-monetary items are translated at the historical exchange rates. Gains or 
losses resulting from this translation are included in operating costs.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The  Company  offers  an  equity  settled  stock  option  plan  to  certain  employees  within  the  organization  pursuant  to 
which  options  are  granted  over  a  five-year  vesting  period  with  a  ten-year  expiration  term.  The  fair  value  of  each 
installment  of  an  award  is  determined  separately  and  recognized  over  the  vesting  period.  When  stock  options  are 
exercised, any consideration paid by employees and the related compensation expense recorded as a stock option 
plan reserve are credited to share capital. 

The  Company  allocates  deferred  share  units  (DSU)  to  eligible  Directors  of  the  Company  which  are  based  on  the 
market value of the Company’s common shares. DSUs are granted on a quarterly basis, vest upon award and entitle 
Directors to receive a cash payment for the value of the DSUs they hold following cessation of functions as a Director 
of  the  Company.  The  Company  recognizes  an  expense  in  its  consolidated  income  statements  and  a  liability  in  its 
consolidated  statement  of  financial  positions  for  each  grant.  The  liability  is  subsequently  remeasured  at  each 
reporting period with any change in value recorded in the consolidated income statements.

The Company offers performance share units (PSU) and restricted share units (RSU) to senior management which 
are based on the market value of the Company’s common shares. The PSU and RSU plans are non-dilutive and are 
settled in cash. These awards are considered cash-settled share-based payment awards. A liability is recognized for 
the  employment  service  received  and  is  measured  initially,  on  the  grant  date,  at  the  fair  value  of  the  liability.  The 
liability is subsequently remeasured at each reporting period with any change in value recorded in the consolidated 
income statements. Compensation expense is recognized over the three-year performance cycle for PSUs and over 
the three-year restriction period for RSUs.

JOINT VENTURES
Joint  ventures  are  accounted  for  using  the  equity  method  and  represent  those  entities  in  which  the  Company 
exercises joint control over and for which it is exposed to variable returns from its involvement in the arrangement. 
Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about 
the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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NOTE 3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT'D)

INCOME TAXES
Income  tax  expense  represents  the  sum  of  current  and  deferred  income  tax  and  is  recognized  in  the  consolidated 
income statements with the exception of items that are recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive 
income or directly in equity.

Current income taxes are determined in relation to taxable earnings for the year and incorporate any adjustments to 
current taxes payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  determined  based  on  temporary  differences  between  the  carrying 
amount of an asset or liability in the consolidated statement of financial position and its tax basis. They are measured 
using  the  enacted  or  substantively  enacted  tax  rates  that  are  expected  to  apply  when  the  asset  is  realized,  or  the 
liability is settled. A deferred income tax asset is recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be 
available against which the deductible temporary difference can be used. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
Financial  assets  and  liabilities  are  initially  measured  at  fair  value.  Subsequently,  financial  instruments  classified  as 
Fair  Value  through  Profit  or  Loss  (FVTPL)  and  fair  value  through  other  comprehensive  income,  part  of  a  hedging 
relationship or not, continue to be measured at fair value on the statement of financial position at each reporting date, 
whereas other financial instruments are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

The Company has made the following classifications:

Cash and cash equivalents are classified as amortized cost and are subsequently measured at amortized cost.
Receivables are classified as amortized cost and are subsequently measured at amortized cost. 

–
–
– Other assets that meet the definition of a financial asset are classified as amortized cost and are subsequently 

measured at amortized cost. 
Bank  loans,  accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities,  other  liabilities  and  long-term  debt  are  classified  as 
amortized cost and are measured at amortized cost, with the exception of the liability related to DSUs and PSUs 
which is measured at the fair value of common shares on the financial position dates. 

–

The  Company  applies  the  simplified  approach  to  recognize  lifetime  expected  credit  losses  under  IFRS  9.  Certain 
derivative instruments are utilized by the Company to manage exposure to variations in interest rate payments and to 
manage foreign exchange rate risks, including foreign exchange forward contracts, currency swaps and interest rate 
swaps. Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value at the date the derivative contracts and currency swaps are 
entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The resulting 
gain or loss is immediately recognized in net earnings unless the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument. 

HEDGING
The  Company  designates  certain  financial  instruments  as  cash  flow  hedges.  At  the  inception  of  the  hedging 
relationship, the Company designates and formally documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and 
the hedged item, the risk management objective, and its strategy for undertaking the hedge. 

For derivatives instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the change in fair value related to the effective portion of 
the  hedge  is  recognized  in  other  comprehensive  income  (loss),  and  the  accumulated  amount  is  presented  as  a 
hedging reserve in the consolidated statement of changes in equity. Any ineffective portion is immediately recognized 
in net earnings. Gains or losses from cash flow hedges included in other components of equity are reclassified to net 
earnings, when the hedging instrument has come due or is settled, as an offset to the losses or gains recognized on 
the underlying hedged items.

The Company formally assesses at inception and quarterly thereafter, the effectiveness of the hedging instruments’ 
ability to offset variations in the cash flow risks associated with the hedged item. Where a hedging relationship is no 
longer  effective,  hedge  accounting  is  discontinued  and  any  subsequent  change  in  the  fair  value  of  the  hedging 
instrument is recognized in net earnings. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

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NOTE 3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT'D)

FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY
All financial instruments measured at fair value are categorized into one of three hierarchy levels, described below, for 
disclosure purposes. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a 
liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Each level reflects the inputs used to measure the fair values of assets and liabilities: 

Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices of identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Inputs  other  than  quoted  prices  included  in  Level  1  that  are  observable  for  the  asset  or  liability,  either 

directly or indirectly. 

Level 3 - One or more significant inputs used in a valuation technique are not based on observable market data in 

determining fair values of the instruments. 

Determination  of  fair  value  and  the  resulting  hierarchy  requires  the  use  of  observable  market  data  whenever 
available. The classification of a financial instrument in the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is 
significant to the measurement of fair value. 

USE OF ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The  preparation  of  the  Company’s  financial  statements  requires  Management  to  make  certain  judgments  and 
estimates  about  transactions  and  carrying  values  that  are  fulfilled  at  a  future  date.  Judgments  and  estimates  are 
subject  to  fluctuations  due  to  changes  in  internal  and/or  external  factors  and  are  continuously  monitored  by 
Management.  A  discussion  of  the  judgments  and  estimates  that  could  have  a  material  effect  on  the  financial 
statements is provided below.

SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

Economic conditions and uncertainties
Current global economic conditions are highly volatile due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was declared in March 
2020.  The  magnitude,  duration  and  severity  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  are  hard  to  predict  and  could  affect  the 
significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes
The Company is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the 
consolidated  provision  for  income  taxes.  During  the  ordinary  course  of  business,  there  are  many  transactions  and 
calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company recognizes liabilities for anticipated 
tax  audit  issues  based  on  estimates  of  whether  additional  taxes  will  be  due.  Where  the  final  tax  outcome  of  these 
matters differs from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the results for the reporting 
period and the respective current income tax and deferred income tax provisions in the reporting period in which such 
determination is made.

Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  measured  using  enacted  or  substantively  enacted  income  tax  rates 
expected  to  apply  to  taxable  income  in  the  years  in  which  temporary  differences  are  expected  to  be  recovered  or 
settled.  As  a  result,  a  projection  of  taxable  income  is  required  for  those  years,  as  well  as  an  assumption  of  the 
ultimate recovery or settlement period for temporary differences. The projection of future taxable income is based on 
Management’s best estimates and may vary from actual taxable income. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each 
reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized. 
Canadian,  US  and  international  tax  rules  and  regulations  are  subject  to  interpretation  and  require  judgment  on  the 
part  of  the  Company  that  may  be  challenged  by  taxation  authorities. The  Company  believes  that  it  has  adequately 
provided for deferred tax obligations that may result from current facts and circumstances. Temporary differences and 
income tax rates could change due to fiscal budget changes and/or changes in income tax laws.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 63

NOTE 3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT'D)

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Business Combinations
Goodwill,  trademarks  and  customer  relationships  have  principally  arisen  as  a  result  of  business  combinations. The 
acquisition method, which also requires significant estimates and judgments, is used to account for these business 
combinations. As part of the allocation process in a business combination, estimated fair values are assigned to the 
net  assets  acquired,  including  trademarks  and  customer  relationships.  These  estimates  are  based  on  forecasts  of 
future  cash  flows,  estimates  of  economic  fluctuations  and  an  estimated  discount  rate.  The  excess  of  the  purchase 
price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired is then assigned to goodwill. In the event that actual net 
assets fair values are different from estimates, the amounts allocated to the net assets, and specifically to trademarks 
and customer relationships, could differ from what is currently reported. This would then have a pervasive impact on 
the carrying value of goodwill. Differences in estimated fair values would also have an impact on the amortization of 
definite life intangibles. 

Property, Plant and Equipment 
Significant judgment is necessary in the selection and application of depreciation method and useful lives as well as 
the determination of which components are significant and how they are allocated. Management has determined that 
the use of the straight-line method of amortization is the most appropriate as its facilities are operating at a similar 
output potential on a year to year basis, which indicates that production is constant. It is Management’s best estimate 
that the useful lives and policies adopted adequately reflect the pattern in which the assets future economic benefits 
are expected to be derived.

Impairment of Assets
Significant  estimates  and  judgments  are  required  in  testing  goodwill,  intangible  assets  and  other  long-lived  assets, 
including  right-of-use  assets,  for  impairment.  Management  uses  estimates  or  exercises  judgment  in  assessing 
indicators  of  impairment,  defining  a  CGU,  forecasting  future  cash  flows  and  in  determining  other  key  assumptions 
such as discount rates and earnings multipliers used for assessing fair value (less costs of disposal) or value in use. 
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually based on the December 31 balances and whenever there is an indication 
of impairment. Other long-lived assets are tested only when indicators of impairment are present. 

Employee Future Benefits
The Company is the sponsor to both defined benefit and defined contribution plans, which provide pension and other 
post-employment benefits to its employees. 

Several estimates and assumptions are required with regards to the determination of the defined benefit expense and 
its  related  obligation,  such  as  the  discount  rate  used  in  determining  the  carrying  value  of  the  obligation  and  the 
interest income on plan assets, the duration of the obligation, inflation, the expected health care cost trend rate, the 
expected mortality rate, expected salary increase, etc. Changes in a number of key assumptions can have a material 
impact on the calculation of the obligation. Actual results will normally differ from expectations. These gains or losses 
are presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 64

NOTE 3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT'D)

EFFECT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, INTERPRETATIONS AND AMENDMENTS 
ADOPTED DURING THE YEAR

The  following  standards,  amendments  to  existing  standards  and  interpretation  of  standards  were  adopted  by  the 
Company on or after April 1, 2020:

IFRS 3, Business Combinations
In  October  2018,  the  IASB  issued  an  amendment  to  IFRS  3  to  clarify  the  definition  of  a  business,  to  resolve  the 
difficulties that arise when an entity determines whether it has acquired a business or a group of assets.

The adoption of this amendment did not significantly impact the Company’s financial statements.

IFRS 9, Financial Instruments,  IAS 39, Financial Instruments and IFRS 7, Financial Instruments 
disclosure – Interest Rate Benchmark Reform, Phase 1 
In September 2019, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, and IFRS 7 to address the implications of the 
Interbank  offered  rates  (IBOR)  reform  for  specific  hedge  accounting  requirements,  which  require  forward-looking 
analysis and additional disclosure requirements.

The adoption of this amendment did not significantly impact the Company’s financial statements.

IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4, Insurance contracts and IFRS 16 Leases – Interest Rate Benchmark 
Reform, Phase 2
In August 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 to help entities that 
are impacted with the Interbank offered rates (IBOR) reform with practical expedients, clarification over the implication 
of  the  reform  on  hedge  accounting  and  the  introduction  of  new  disclosures  about  the  risks  arising  from  the  IBOR 
reform. 

The  Company  is  exposed  to  the  following  interest  rate  benchmarks  which  are  subject  to  interest  rate  benchmark 
reform: GBP LIBOR, USD LIBOR and JPY LIBOR (collectively ‘IBORs’) in connection with certain bank credit facilities 
and long-term debt (see notes 10 and 11).

The Company has elected to early adopt these amendments and, in accordance with the transition provisions, were 
adopted retrospectively. 

The early adoption of these amendments did not significantly impact the Company’s financial statements.

IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements
In January 2020, the IASB issued an amendment to clarify how to classify debt and other liabilities as current or non-
current. The amendments help to determine whether, in the statement of financial position, debt and other liabilities 
with an uncertain settlement date should be classified as current (due or potentially due to be settled within one year) 
or  non-current.  The  amendments  also  clarify  the  classification  requirements  for  debt  an  entity  might  settle  by 
converting it into equity. 

The early adoption of this amendment did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 65

NOTE 3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT'D)

Effect of new accounting standards, Interpretations and amendments not yet 
implemented

The  following  standards,  amendments  to  standards  and  interpretations  have  been  issued  by  the  International 
Accounting Standards Board (IASB)  and are applicable to the Company for its annual periods beginning on and after 
April 1, 2022, with an earlier application permitted:

IFRS 3, Business Combinations: Reference to the Conceptual Framework
In May 2020, Reference to the Conceptual Framework, amendments to IFRS 3, Business Combinations was issued. 
This amendment adds a requirement that, for transactions and other events within the scope of IAS 37, Provisions, 
contingent liabilities and contingent assets or IFRIC 21, Levies, an acquirer applies IAS 37 or IFRIC 21 (instead of the 
Conceptual Framework) to identify the liabilities it has assumed in a business combination. Also, an explicit statement 
was added requiring an acquirer to not recognize contingent assets acquired in a business combination. 

This amendment is applicable to the Company beginning April 1, 2022. The Company will apply this amendment to 
applicable future business combinations.

IAS 16, Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds Before Intended of Use 
In May 2020, the IASB issued Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use, Amendments to IAS 
16.  This  amendment  prohibits  a  company  from  deducting  from  the  cost  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  amounts 
received  from  selling  items  produced  while  the  company  is  preparing  the  asset  for  its  intended  use.  Instead,  a 
company will recognize such sales proceeds and related costs in profit or loss. 

This  amendment  is  applicable  to  the  Company  beginning  April  1,  2022.  Management  is  currently  assessing  the 
impact of the adoption of this amendment on the Company’s financial statements.

IAS 37, Onerous Contracts – Cost of Fulfilling a Contract
In May 2020, the IASB issued Onerous Contracts – Cost of Fulfilling a Contract (Amendments to IAS 37), amending 
the standard regarding costs a company should include as the cost of fulfilling a contract when assessing whether a 
contract is onerous.

This  amendment  is  applicable  to  the  Company  beginning  April  1,  2022.  Management  is  currently  assessing  the 
impact of the adoption of this amendment on the Company’s financial statements.

IAS 1 – Disclosure of Accounting Policies
In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 to require entities to disclose its material accounting policies 
instead of its significant accounting policies. 

This amendment is applicable to the Company beginning April 1, 2023. The adoption of this amendment will not have 
a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

IAS 8 – Definition of Accounting Estimates 
In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 8 to replace the definition of a change in accounting estimate. 
Under  the  new  definition,  accounting  estimates  are  “monetary  amounts  in  financial  statements  that  are  subject  to 
measurement uncertainty”.

This amendment is applicable to the Company beginning April 1, 2023. The adoption of this amendment will not have 
a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 66

NOTE 4  INVENTORIES

Finished goods

Raw materials, work in progress and supplies

Total

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

$ 

$ 

1,267.8  $ 

1,026.4   

2,294.2  $ 

1,256.3 

964.6 

2,220.9 

The  amount  of  inventories  recognized  as  an  expense  in  operating  costs  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2021,  is 
$11.161 billion ($11.637 billion for the year ended March 31, 2020). 

NOTE  5    OPERATING  COSTS  EXCLUDING  DEPRECIATION,  AMORTIZATION, 
INVENTORY REVALUATION RESULTING FROM A BUSINESS ACQUISITION, AND 
RESTRUCTURING COSTS

Changes in inventories of finished goods and work in process

$ 

Raw materials and consumables used

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

Employee benefits expense

Selling costs

Other general and administrative costs

Total

For the years
ended March 31

2021

(74.0)  $ 

9,648.9   

(36.3)   

1,841.7   

656.1   

786.6   

2020

(108.3) 

10,289.0 

15.6 

1,751.3 

679.6 

848.5 

$ 

12,823.0  $ 

13,475.7 

NOTE 6  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost

As at March 31, 2020

Additions

Disposals
Transfers

Foreign currency and hyperinflation adjustments

As at March 31, 2021
Accumulated depreciation

As at March 31, 2020

Depreciation

Disposals

Foreign currency and hyperinflation adjustments

As at March 31, 2021

Net book value at March 31, 2021

For the year ended March 31, 2021

Furniture, 
machinery 
and 
equipment

Rolling 
stock

Total

Land

Buildings

$ 

203.4  $ 

1,442.9  $ 

4,191.9  $ 

15.3  $ 

5,853.5 

0.9   

(5.6)   
—   

8.1   

66.2   

(30.4)   
—   

(51.1)   

312.4   

(68.3)   
(3.7)   

(178.5)   

—   

(2.7)   
—   

1.0   

379.5 

(107.0) 
(3.7) 

(220.5) 

206.8  $ 

1,427.6  $ 

4,253.8  $ 

13.6  $ 

5,901.8 

—  $ 

395.8  $ 

1,597.8  $ 

9.9  $ 

2,003.5 

—   

—   

—   

60.9   

(16.6)   

(22.1)   

256.0   

(58.0)   

(99.2)   

—  $ 

418.0  $ 

1,696.6  $ 

206.8  $ 

1,009.6  $ 

2,557.2  $ 

2.1   

(2.4)   

0.3   

9.9  $ 

3.7  $ 

319.0 

(77.0) 

(121.0) 

2,124.5 

3,777.3 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

The net book value of property, plant and equipment under construction amounts to $309.3 million as at March 31, 
2021, ($362.1 million as at March 31, 2020) and consists mainly of machinery and equipment.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 6  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (CONT'D)

For the year ended March 31, 2020

Furniture, 
machinery 
and 

Cost

As at March 31, 2019

$ 

119.3  $ 

1,232.4  $ 

3,389.7  $ 

18.7  $ 

39.1  $ 

4,799.2 

Land

Buildings

equipment Rolling stock

Leases

Total

Adjustment on initial application - 

IFRS 16

Business acquisitions (Note 17)

Additions

Disposals

Transfers

Foreign currency adjustments

As at March 31, 2020

Accumulated depreciation
As at March 31, 2019

Adjustment on initial application - 

IFRS 16

Depreciation¹

Disposals

Foreign currency and 

hyperinflation adjustments

As at March 31, 2020

Net book value at March 31, 2020

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

—   

64.0   

25.7   

(1.1)   

(1.5)   

(3.0)   

—   

108.5   

103.1   

(14.1)   

1.3   

11.7   

(2.1)   

375.2   

381.0   

(31.9)   

22.3   

57.7   

—   

—   

0.1   

(2.4)   

—   

(1.1)   

(39.1)   

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

(41.2) 

547.7 

509.9 

(49.5) 

22.1 

65.3 

203.4  $ 

1,442.9  $ 

4,191.9  $ 

15.3  $ 

—  $ 

5,853.5 

—  $ 

336.1  $ 

1,352.6  $ 

10.5  $ 

4.6  $ 

1,703.8 

—   

—   

—   

—   

—  $ 

—   

57.1   

(7.9)   

(1.7)   

233.9   

(30.5)   

10.5   

43.5   

395.8  $ 

1,597.8  $ 

203.4  $ 

1,047.1  $ 

2,594.1  $ 

—   

2.2   

(2.1)   

(0.7)   

9.9  $ 

5.4  $ 

(4.6)   

—   

—   

(6.3) 

293.2 

(40.5) 

—   

—  $ 

—  $ 

53.3 

2,003.5 

3,850.0 

1  Depreciation includes impairment of assets related to plant closure

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 68

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 7  RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS AND LEASE LIABILITIES

The following table presents changes in right-of-use assets during fiscal 2021:

Balance as at April 1, 2020

New leases / leases modifications

Depreciation

Disposals

Foreign currency

Real Estate

Equipment

$ 

273.6  $ 

144.3  $ 

116.5   

(35.4)   

(14.4)   

3.9   

20.0   

(34.6)   

—   

7.7   

Balance at March 31, 2021

$ 

344.2  $ 

137.4  $ 

The following table presents changes in right-of-use assets during fiscal 2020:

Balance as at April 1, 2019

Business acquisitions (Note 18)
New leases / leases modifications

Transfers to Property, plant and equipment

Depreciation

Foreign currency

Balance at March 31, 2020

Real Estate

Equipment

$ 

299.2  $ 

141.4  $ 

11.0   
10.8   

—   

(29.7)   

(17.7)   

62.4   
6.1   

(22.5)   

(34.3)   

(8.8)   

$ 

273.6  $ 

144.3  $ 

The following table presents changes in lease liabilities during fiscal 2021 and 2020:

Total

417.9 

136.5 

(70.0) 

(14.4) 

11.6 

481.6 

Total

440.6 

73.4 
16.9 

(22.5) 

(64.0) 

(26.5) 

417.9 

Balance, beginning of year

Business acquisitions (Note 18)

New leases / lease modifications

Interest expense

Payments

Foreign currency

Current portion

Balance, end of year

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

$ 

414.8  $ 

—   

120.0   

15.2   

(99.9)   

10.9   

461.0   

(75.1)   

$ 

385.9  $ 

445.9 

70.4 

14.4 

16.1 

(106.8) 

(25.2) 

414.8 

(74.7) 

340.1 

The  following  maturity  analysis  of  the  Company’s  lease  liabilities  outstanding  at  March  31,  2021  is  based  on  the 
expected undiscounted contractual cash flows until the contractual maturity date:

Less than 1 year

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

More than 5 years

$ 

$ 

92.4 

68.6 

55.0 

71.4 

32.3 

282.2 

601.9 

Expenses relating to short-term leases and leases of low value were not significant for the fiscal year ended March 
31, 2021.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 8  GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

For the year ended March 31, 2021

Definite Life

Goodwill

Trademarks1

Customer 
relationships2

Software3
and other

Total 
Intangible 
Assets

Cost

As at March 31, 2020

$ 

3,219.5  $ 

1,156.0  $ 

412.6  $ 

372.8  $ 

1,941.4 

Additions

Transfer

Impairment charges

Foreign currency and hyperinflation 

adjustments

As at March 31, 2021

Accumulated Amortization

As at March 31, 2020
Amortization

Foreign currency and hyperinflation 

adjustments

As at March 31, 2021

Net book value at March 31, 2021

—   

—   

—   

—   

—   

(19.0)   

(153.4)   

(10.8)   

3,066.1  $ 

1,126.2  $ 

—  $ 
—   

—   

—  $ 

3,066.1  $ 

75.1  $ 
53.9   

0.9   

129.9  $ 

996.3  $ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

—   

—   

—   

(22.7)   

389.9  $ 

164.4  $ 
35.1   

(9.8)   

189.7  $ 

200.2  $ 

53.5   

3.7   

—   

53.5 

3.7 

(19.0) 

(14.1)   

(47.6) 

415.9  $ 

1,932.0 

61.2  $ 
37.0   

(2.6)   

95.6  $ 

300.7 
126.0 

(11.5) 

415.2 

320.3  $ 

1,516.8 

For the year ended March 31, 2020

Definite Life

Goodwill

Trademarks1

Customer 
relationships2

Software3
and other

Total Intangible 
Assets

Cost

As at March 31, 2019

$ 

2,597.6  $ 

Business acquisitions (Note 18)

Additions

Transfer

Foreign currency and hyperinflation 

541.5   

—   

—   

464.4  $ 

688.5   

—   

—   

319.4  $ 

273.8  $ 

1,057.6 

92.9   

—   

(9.3)   

26.1   

66.4   

0.5   

807.5 

66.4 

(8.8) 

adjustments

As at March 31, 2020

Accumulated Amortization
As at March 31, 2019

Amortization

Foreign currency and hyperinflation 

adjustments

As at March 31, 2020

Net book value at March 31, 2020

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

80.4   

3.1   

9.6   

6.0   

18.7 

3,219.5  $ 

1,156.0  $ 

412.6  $ 

372.8  $ 

1,941.4 

—  $ 

—   

—   

—  $ 

21.7  $ 

51.9   

1.5   

75.1  $ 

3,219.5  $ 

1,080.9  $ 

125.5  $ 

34.5   

4.4   

164.4  $ 

248.2  $ 

34.2  $ 

27.1   

(0.1)   

61.2  $ 

181.4 

113.5 

5.8 

300.7 

311.6  $ 

1,640.7 

Trademarks are amortized straight-line over their useful lives which vary from 15 to 25 years. 

1 
2  Customer relationships are amortized straight-line over their useful lives which vary from 3 to 15 years. 
3  None of the software were internally generated.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 8  GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (CONT'D)

IMPAIRMENT TESTING OF CASH-GENERATING UNITS

Goodwill
In determining whether goodwill is impaired, the Company is required to estimate the respective recoverable amounts 
of CGUs or groups of CGUs to which goodwill is allocated. Management considers the sectors below to be CGUs or 
groups  of  CGUs  as  they  represent  the  smallest  identifiable  group  of  assets  that  generates  cash  inflows  that  are 
largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

The Company reports its operations under four geographic sectors. The Canada Sector consists of the Dairy Division 
(Canada). The USA Sector consists of the Dairy Division (USA). The International Sector combines the Dairy Division 
(Australia) and the Dairy Division (Argentina). Finally, the Europe Sector consists of the Dairy Division (UK).

Goodwill is allocated to each CGU or group of CGUs as follows:

Allocation of goodwill

Canada Sector

Dairy Division (Canada)

USA Sector

Dairy Division (USA)1

International Sector

Dairy Division (Australia)

Dairy Division (Argentina)

Europe Sector

Dairy Division (UK)

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

$ 

401.5  $ 

401.5 

1,851.1   

2,066.0 

265.4   

9.6   

538.5   

$ 

3,066.1  $ 

200.3 

8.7 

543.0 

3,219.5 

1

During  fiscal  2021,  the  two  former  USA  divisions,  the  Cheese  Division  (USA)  and  the  Dairy  Foods  Division  (USA),  were  merged  into  a  single 
division  now  known  as  the  Dairy  Division  (USA).  As  a  result,  the  goodwill  which  was  previously  allocated  to  the  two  former  divisions  is  now 
allocated to the Dairy Division (USA). As at March 31, 2020, goodwill of $1,393.1 million was allocated to the former Cheese Division USA and 
$672.9 million to the former Dairy Foods Division (USA). 

Recoverable amounts for the Dairy Division (Canada) and the Dairy Division (USA) were estimated using an earnings 
multiplier  valuation  model  (fair  value  less  costs  of  disposal).  The  key  assumptions  used  in  these  models  consist 
mainly of earnings multipliers of market comparables that are applied to the results of each CGU or group of CGUs 
tested. The inputs used in this model are Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy described in Note 3.

Recoverable  amounts  for  the  Dairy  Division  (Australia),  the  Dairy  Division  (Argentina),  and  the  Dairy  Division  (UK) 
have been estimated using a discounted cash flow (value in use) model based on the following key assumptions:

• Cash  flows:  Cash  flow  forecasts  for  a  given  CGU  are  based  on  earnings  before  interest,  income  taxes, 
depreciation  and  amortization,  and  are  adjusted  for  a  growth  rate  and  income  tax  rates. The  cash  flow  forecast 
does not exceed a period of five years with a terminal value calculated as a perpetuity in the final year.

• Terminal  growth  rate:  Management  uses  a  terminal  growth  rate  to  adjust  its  forecasted  cash  flows  based  on 

expected increases in inflation and revenues for the CGU. 

• Discount rate: Cash flows are discounted using pre-tax discount rates.

The  terminal  growth  rates  and  pre-tax  discount  rates  applied  to  the  Dairy  Division  (UK)  were  1.9%  and  6.1%, 
respectively.

The Company performed its annual impairment testing of goodwill based on the December 31, 2020 balances, and, 
in all cases, the recoverable amounts exceeded their respective carrying values including goodwill; therefore, goodwill 
was not considered to be impaired as at March 31, 2021.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 71

 
 
 
 
NOTE 8  GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (CONT'D)

Trademarks 
Trademarks are included in the following CGUs or group of CGUs:

Allocation of trademarks by sectors

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Canada

USA

International

Europe

$ 

$ 

213.6  $ 

130.2   

35.8   

616.7   

228.6 

152.8 

45.1 

654.4 

996.3  $ 

1,080.9 

The assessment of the estimated useful life of trademarks is reviewed annually. Trademarks are amortized using the 
straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which vary from 15 to 25 years. 

In fiscal 2021, the Company recognized impairment charges of $19.0 million related to trademarks. This charge was 
related to the Company’s decision to retire the COON cheese brand name from its Australian portfolio of brands and 
is part of a commitment to share in the responsibility to eliminate racism in all its forms.

NOTE 9  OTHER ASSETS

Joint ventures

Financial loan

Derivative financial assets

Employee benefits (Note 19)

Other

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

$ 

$ 

40.7  $ 

50.0   

—   

177.5   

51.5   

319.7  $ 

36.9 

50.0 

22.5 

381.2 

54.7 

545.3 

The Company holds interests in joint ventures, which are all accounted for using the equity method. The Company 
recognized  $5.7  million  in  net  earnings,  representing  its  share  of  earnings  in  the  joint  ventures  for  the  year  ended 
March  31,  2021  ($1.9  million  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2020).  Dividends  received  from  the  joint  ventures 
amounted to $4.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2021 ($13.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2020). 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 10  BANK LOANS

The Company has available bank credit facilities providing for bank loans as follows:

Available for use

Amount drawn

Credit Facilities

North America-USA

North America-Canada

Canada

Australia

Australia

Japan

United Kingdom

Argentina

Argentina

Total

Canadian 
Currency
Equivalent

Maturity

Base Currency

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

November 20241,8 $ 
November 20241,8 $ 
January 20212    $ 
Yearly3,8 $ 
Yearly3,8 $ 
Yearly4,8 $ 
Yearly5,8 $ 
Yearly6,8 $ 
Yearly7 $ 

376.9   

879.3   

—   

262.5   

125.6   

300.0  USD

700.0  USD

—  CAD

275.0  AUD

100.0  USD

90.4   

8,000.0  JPY

129.9   

147.0   

75.0  GBP

117.0  USD

101.8   

7,429.0  ARS

$  2,113.4 

$ 

$ 

—  $ 

—   

—   

—   

—   

33.5   

—   

—   

42.1   

75.6  $ 

— 

— 

24.9 

238.4 

128.5 

24.8 

17.5 

53.4 

41.0 

528.5 

1  Bears monthly interest at rates ranging from lender’s prime rates plus a maximum of 1.00% or LIBOR or BBSY or banker’s acceptance rate plus 

0.80% up to a maximum of 2.00% depending on the Company credit ratings.

2  Bore monthly interest at Bank’s Prime Rate plus 0.25% or Banker’s Acceptance Rate plus 1.25%.
3  Bears monthly interest at LIBOR or Australian Bank Bill Rate plus up to 1.00% and can be drawn in AUD or USD.
4  Bears monthly interest at TIBOR plus 0.70% and can be drawn in JPY.
5  Bears monthly interest at rates ranging from base rate plus 0.70% or LIBOR plus 0.70% and can be drawn in GBP.
6  Bears monthly interest at local rate and can be drawn in USD. 
7  Bears monthly interest at local rate and can be drawn in ARS.
8  Subject to interest rate benchmark reform (see note 3)

Furthermore,  during  fiscal  2021,  the  Company  entered  into  a  trade  receivable  purchase  agreement  to  sell  certain 
receivables.  As  at  March  31,  2021,  receivables  totalling  $68.2  million  (AU$71.5  million)  were  sold  under  this 
arrangement. The receivables were derecognized upon sale as substantially all risks and rewards associated with the 
receivables passed to the purchaser. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 11  LONG-TERM DEBT

Unsecured bank term loan facilities

Obtained April 2018 (AU$600.0 million) and due in April 20231
Obtained April 2019 ($426.0 million) and repaid in June 20202
Obtained April 2019 (£600.0 million) and due in April 20223

Unsecured senior notes4,5

2.20%, issued in June 2016 and due in June 2021 (Series 2)

2.83%, issued in November 2016 and due in November 2023 (Series 3)

1.94%, issued in June 2017 and due in June 2022 (Series 4)

3.60%, issued in August 2018 and due in August 2025 (Series 5)

2.88%, issued in November 2019 and due in November 2024 (Series 6)

2.24%, issued in June 2020 and due in June 2027 (Series 7)

1.42%, issued in November 2020 and due in June 2026 (Series 8)

Other

Current portion

Principal repayments are as follows:

Less than 1 year

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

More than 5 years

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

384.7  $ 

—   

458.8   

300.0   

300.0   

300.0   

350.0   

400.0   

700.0   

350.0   

34.3   

3,577.8  $ 

300.0   

3,277.8  $ 

300.0  $ 

758.8   

684.7   

400.0   

350.0   

1,084.3   

3,577.8  $ 

437.1 

418.8 

1,036.4 

300.0 

300.0 

300.0 

350.0 

400.0 

— 

— 

— 

3,542.3 

— 

3,542.3 

— 

718.8 

1,336.4 

737.1 

400.0 

350.0 

3,542.3 

1  Bear monthly interest at rates ranging from lender's prime plus a maximum of 1.00%, or banker’s acceptance rates or Australian Bank Bill Rate  
plus  0.80%  up  to  a  maximum  of  2.00%,  depending  on  the  Company’s  credit  ratings.  Interest  is  paid  every  one,  two,  three  or  six  months,  as 
selected by the Company. As discussed in note 3 this debt is subject to interest rate benchmark reform.

2  Bore monthly interest at lender’s prime rates plus a maximum of 1.00% or LIBOR or banker’s acceptance rates plus 0.80% up to a maximum of 

2.00%, depending on the Company’s credit ratings. 

3  Bears monthly interest at lender’s prime rates plus a maximum of 1.00% or LIBOR or banker’s acceptance rates plus 0.80% up to a maximum of 
2.00%, depending on the Company’s credit ratings, and can be drawn in CAD, USD or £. As discussed in note 3 this debt is subject to interest rate 
benchmark reform.
Interest payments are semi-annual. 

4 
5  On December 15, 2020, Saputo renewed its medium term note program by filing a supplement to its base shelf prospectus dated December 9, 

2020, which provides the ability to make offerings of various securities during the 25-month period for which the base shelf prospectus is effective.

On  June  16,  2020,  the  Company  issued  Series  7  medium  term  notes  for  an  aggregate  principal  amount  of 
$700.0 million due June 16, 2027, bearing interest at 2.24%. The net proceeds of the issuance were used during the 
first quarter of fiscal 2021 to repay (i) the $426.0 million 2-year tranche of the term loan facility incurred in connection 
with  the  Dairy  Crest Acquisition  and  (ii)  $206.0  million  (AU$  220.0  million)  of  revolving  loan  facilities  for  the  Dairy 
Division (Australia), which included funds drawn in connection with the Specialty Cheese Business Acquisition. The 
remaining net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.

On  November  19,  2020,  the  Company  issued  Series  8  medium  term  notes  for  an  aggregate  principal  amount  of 
$350.0 million due June 19, 2026, bearing interest at 1.42%. The net proceeds of the issuance were used to repay 
$346.7 million (GBP 200.0 million) of the 3-year tranche of the term loan facility incurred in connection with the Dairy 
Crest Acquisition, and for general corporate purposes.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 11  LONG-TERM DEBT (CONT'D)

On  November  19,  2019,  the  Company  issued  Series  6  medium  term  notes  for  an  aggregate  principal  amount  of 
$400.0  million  and  used  the  net  proceeds  to  repay  the  $300.0  million  aggregate  principal  amount  of  the  Series  1 
medium term notes due November 26, 2019, and the remainder of the net proceeds was used to repay a portion of 
the term loan facility obtained in April 2018. 

On  February  21,  2019,  the  Company  entered  into  a  credit  agreement  providing  for  a  non-revolving  term  facility, 
denominated  in  British  pounds  sterling  in  the  aggregate  amount  of  $2.209  billion  (£1.265  billion)  (Dairy  Crest 
Acquisition Facility), consisting of three tranches: a 1-year tranche of $698.5 million (£400.0 million), which was fully 
repaid  in  fiscal  2020;  a  2-year  tranche  of  $462.7  million  (£265.0  million);  and  a  3-year  tranche  of  $1.048  billion 
(£600.0 million). On April 15, 2019, an aggregate amount  of  $2.118. billion (£1.213 billion) was drawn on the  Dairy 
Crest Acquisition Facility. On November 12, 2019, the 2-year tranche of £265.0 million ($456.5 million) was converted 
to a Canadian dollar denominated facility of $426.0 million.

NOTE 12  OTHER LIABILITIES 

Employee benefits (Note 19)

Derivative financial liabilities

Stock-based compensation - long-term portion

Other

NOTE 13  SHARE CAPITAL

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

$ 

$ 

42.9  $ 

2.9   

51.4   

18.7   

115.9  $ 

36.9 

7.1 

33.1 

21.4 

98.5 

AUTHORIZED 
The  authorized  share  capital  of  the  Company  consists  of  an  unlimited  number  of  common  shares.  The  common 
shares are voting and participating. 

Balance, beginning of year

408,638,373  $ 

1,685.7   

390,198,386  $ 

March 31, 2021

Common Shares

March 31, 2020

Common Shares

Number 

$ 

Number 

Issued under dividend reinvestment plan

Issued on exercise of options

Issued under Equity Offering

Balance, end of year

2,348,157   

1,347,041   

—  $ 

80.3   

40.5   

—   

—   

1,797,434   

16,642,553   

412,333,571  $ 

1,806.5   

408,638,373  $ 

1,685.7 

$

991.7 

— 

54.1 

639.9 

In  fiscal  2020,  the  Company  completed  a  public  offering  and  a  concurrent  private  placement  of  an  aggregate  of 
16,642,553 common shares at a price of $39.60. per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $659 million (the Equity 
Offering). The proceeds, net of commissions, legal, and accounting fees of $19.1 million, were $639.9 million.

STOCK OPTION PLAN 
The Company has an equity settled stock option plan to allow for the purchase of common shares by key employees 
and officers of the Company. The total number of common shares which may be issued pursuant to this plan cannot 
exceed  45,698,394  common  shares.  As  at  March  31,  2021,  14,595,623  common  shares  are  available  for  future 
grants under this plan and 23,339,321 common shares are underlying options outstanding. During fiscal 2021, a total 
of 1,347,041 common shares were issued following the exercise of options. Options may be exercised at a price not 
less than the weighted average market price for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of grant. The 
options vest at 20% per year and expire ten years from the grant date. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 13  SHARE CAPITAL (CONT'D)

Options issued and outstanding as at year end are as follows:

Granting period

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Exercise 
price

$  14.66   

$  21.61   

$  21.48   

$  25.55   

$  27.74   

$  35.08   

$  41.40   

$  46.29   

$  41.02   

$  45.30   

$  33.35   

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Number of
options

Number of 
exercisable options

Number of
options

Number of 
exercisable options

—   

100,778   

812,537   

1,243,555   

1,734,764   

1,873,838   

3,057,893   

3,211,194   

3,791,350   

3,017,017   

4,496,395   

—   

100,778   

812,537   

1,243,555   

1,734,764   

1,873,838   

2,430,803   

1,938,427   

1,510,080   

607,726   

—   

39,840   

543,390   

1,122,735   

1,479,140   

1,941,956   

2,056,423   

3,357,766   

3,345,835   

3,949,185   

3,109,822   

—   

39,840 

543,390 

1,122,735 

1,479,140 

1,941,956 

1,565,767 

1,974,026 

1,347,563 

765,219 

— 

— 

23,339,321   

12,252,508   

20,946,092   

10,779,636 

Changes in the number of outstanding options for the years ended March 31, are as follows:

Balance, beginning of year

Options granted

Options exercised

Options cancelled

Balance, end of year

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Number of 
options

Weighted average 
exercise price

Number of 
options

Weighted average 
exercise price

20,946,092  $ 

4,637,830  $ 

(1,347,041)  $ 

(897,560)  $ 

23,339,321  $ 

38.05   

33.35   

24.31   

40.70   

37.81   

20,374,871  $ 

3,319,450  $ 

(1,797,434)  $ 

(950,795)  $ 

20,946,092  $ 

35.96 

45.30 

25.04 

43.17 

38.05 

The  weighted  average  exercise  price  of  the  options  granted  in  fiscal  2021  is  $33.35,  which  corresponds  to  the 
weighted average market price for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the grant ($45.30 in fiscal 
2020). 

The weighted average fair value of options granted in fiscal 2021 was estimated at $5.04 per option ($7.67 in fiscal 
2020), using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

Weighted average:
Risk-free interest rate

Expected life of options
Volatility1
Dividend rate

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

 0.53 %

6.3 years

 21.17 %

 2.08 %

 1.61 %

6.2 years

 18.41 %

 1.45 %

1 

The expected volatility is based on the historic share price volatility over a period similar to the life of the options. 

A  compensation  expense  of  $22.3  million  ($20.0  million  net  of  taxes)  relating  to  stock  options  was  recorded  in 
operating costs in the consolidated income statements for the year ended March 31, 2021. A compensation expense 
of  $23.7  million  ($21.3  million  net  of  taxes)  relating  to  stock  options  was  recorded  in  operating  costs  in  the 
consolidated income statements for the year ended March 31, 2020.

Options to purchase 1,984,038 common shares at a price of $37.52 per share were granted on April 1, 2021.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 76

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 13  SHARE CAPITAL (CONT'D)

DEFERRED SHARE UNIT PLAN FOR DIRECTORS 
In accordance with the DSU plan, all eligible Directors of the Company are allocated an annual retainer payable 50% 
in DSUs and 50% in cash or 100% in DSUs, at the election of the Director. Until the ownership threshold is met by the 
Director, the Director must receive the entire compensation in DSUs. The number of DSUs granted quarterly to each 
Director is determined based on the market value of the Company’s common shares at the date of each grant. When 
they cease to be a Director of the Company, a cash payment equal to the market value of the accumulated DSUs will 
be disbursed. The liability relating to these units is adjusted by taking the number of units outstanding multiplied by 
the market value of common shares at the Company’s year-end. The Company includes the cost of the DSU plan in 
operating costs in the consolidated income statements.

Balance, beginning of year

Annual retainer

Dividends reinvested

Variation due to change in stock price
Balance, end of year

2021

Units

404,019  $ 

55,067   

8,599   

—   
467,685   

Liability

13.7   

2.0   

0.3   

1.7   
17.7   

2020

Units

349,648  $ 

48,185   

6,186   

—   

404,019  $ 

Liability 

15.9 

1.8 

0.2 

(4.2) 
13.7 

The  Company  enters  into  equity  forward  contracts  in  order  to  mitigate  the  compensation  costs  associated  with  its 
DSU plan. As at March 31, 2021, the Company had equity forward contracts on 420,000 common shares (320,000 as 
of March 31, 2020) with a notional value of $15.2 million ($13.1 million as of March 31, 2020). The net compensation 
expense  related  to  the  DSU  plan  was  $3.5  million  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2021  ($2.0  million  for  March  31, 
2020), including the effect of the equity forward contracts. 

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT PLAN
The Company offers key employees and officers of the Company a performance share unit (PSU) plan to form part of 
long-term incentive compensation. The PSU plan is non-dilutive and is settled in cash only. Under the PSU plan, each 
performance cycle shall consist of three fiscal years of the Company. At the time of the grant of a PSU, the Company 
determines  the  performance  criteria  which  must  be  met  by  the  Company.  The  Corporate  Governance  and  HR 
Committee has discretion to award compensation absent the achievement of the vesting criteria established.

Following  completion  of  a  three-year  performance  cycle,  the  PSUs  for  which  the  performance  criteria  have  been 
achieved  will  vest  and  the  value  that  will  be  paid  out  is  based  on  the  price  of  the  common  shares  at  such  time, 
multiplied  by  the  number  of  PSUs  for  which  the  performance  criteria  have  been  achieved.  The  amount  potentially 
payable  to  eligible  employees  is  recognized  as  a  payable  and  is  revised  at  each  reporting  period.  The  expense  is 
included in employee benefits in operating costs in the consolidated income statements.

Balance, beginning of year
Annual grant

Cancelled

Payment

Balance, end of year

2021
Units

819,656   
501,811   

(87,350)   

(162,861)   

1,071,256   

2020
Units

770,922 
313,273 

(27,379) 

(237,160) 

819,656 

As at March 31, 2021, a long-term obligation related to PSUs of $21.5 million was recorded ($13.6 million as at March 
31, 2020) in addition to $7.7 million that was recorded in accrued liabilities ($6.5 million as at March 31, 2020). On 
April 1, 2021, 682,326 PSUs were granted at a price of $37.52 per unit ($33.35 in 2020).

As  at  March  31,  2021,  the  Company  had  equity  forward  contracts  on  1,170,000  common  shares  (770,000  as  of 
March 31, 2020) with a notional value of $40.0 million ($31.3 million as of March 31, 2020). The net compensation 
expense  related  to  PSUs  was  $13.4  million  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2021  ($10.2  million  for  the  year  ended 
March 31, 2020), including the effect of the equity forward contracts. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 13  SHARE CAPITAL CONT'D

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT PLAN
The Company also offers a restricted share unit (RSU) plan to form part of long-term incentives compensation for key 
employees  and  officers  of  the  Company.  The  RSU  plan  is  non-dilutive  and  is  settled  in  cash  only.  Under  the  RSU 
plan, each restriction period shall consist of three fiscal years of the Company. At the time of the grant of a RSU, the 
Company  determines  the  vesting  criteria  which  must  be  met  by  the  participants.  Such  criteria  may  include,  without 
limitation,  continuing  employment  through  all  or  part  of  the  restriction  period.  The  Corporate  Governance  and  HR 
Committee  has  discretion  to  award  compensation  absent  the  achievement  of  the  vesting  criteria  established. 
Following completion of a three-year restriction period, the RSUs for which the vesting criteria have been achieved 
will vest and the value that will be paid out is based on the price of the common shares at such time, multiplied by the 
number  of  RSUs  for  which  the  vesting  criteria  have  been  achieved.  The  amount  potentially  payable  to  eligible 
employees will be recognized as a payable and will be revised at each reporting period. The expense will be included 
in employee benefits  in operating costs  in the consolidated income statements.

Balance, beginning of year

Annual grant

Cancelled

Payment

Balance, end of year

2021
Units

129,778   

205,119   

(3,007)   

(1,421)   

330,469   

2020
Units

— 

132,967 

(2,755) 

(434) 

129,778 

On April  1,  2021,  442,912  RSUs  were  granted  at  a  price  of  $37.52  per  unit  ($33.35  in  2020).  The  compensation 
expense  related  to  RSUs  was  $4.3  million  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2021  ($1.5  million  in  2020),  including  the 
effect of the equity forward contracts.

The  Company  enters  into  equity  forward  contracts  in  order  to  mitigate  the  compensation  costs  associated  with  its 
PSU and RSU plans.

DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Company implemented a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP), which became effective as of the dividend paid on 
July  9,  2020.  The  DRIP  provides  eligible  shareholders  with  the  opportunity  to  have  all  or  a  portion  of  their  cash 
dividends automatically reinvested into additional common shares.

The dividends paid in cash and through the DRIP during the year are shown below:

Payment date

July 9, 2020 $ 

October 2, 2020  

January 7, 2021  

March 26, 2021  

$ 

Cash 

51.2  $ 

51.7   

51.4   

50.3   
204.6  $ 

For the year ended March 31, 2021

DRIP 

18.3  $ 

19.9   

20.4   

21.7   
80.3  $ 

Total

69.5 

71.6 

71.8 

72.0 
284.9 

For the year ended March 31, 2020, dividends totalling $269.7 million were fully paid in cash.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 78

 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 14  FINANCIAL CHARGES

Interest on long-term debt

Other finance costs, net

Gain on hyperinflation

Interest on lease liabilities

Net interest revenue from defined benefit obligation (Note 19)

NOTE 15  INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense is comprised of the following:

Current tax expense

Deferred tax expense

Income tax expense

For the years
ended March 31

$ 

2021

78.7  $ 

27.3   

(17.1)   

15.2   

(7.4)   

$ 

96.7  $ 

2020

95.6 

36.9 

(27.8) 

16.1 

(5.6) 

115.2 

$ 

$ 

2021

150.8  $ 

67.0   

217.8  $ 

2020

145.1 

71.4 

216.5 

RECONCILIATION OF THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE
The effective income tax rate was 25.8% in 2021 (27.1% in 2020). The Company’s income tax expense differs from 
the one calculated by applying Canadian statutory rates for the following reasons:

Earnings before tax

Income taxes, calculated using Canadian statutory income tax rates of 25.8% (26.3% in 

2020)

Adjustments resulting from the following:

Effect of tax rates for foreign subsidiaries

Changes in tax laws and rates

Benefit arising from investment in subsidiaries

Impairment of goodwill/assets

Stock-based compensation

Disposal of asset held for sale

Adjustments in respect of prior years and other

Income tax expense

$ 

$ 

2021

843.4  $ 

217.8   

3.5   

(0.9)   

(12.1)   

5.7   

3.5   

—   

0.3   
217.8  $ 

INCOME TAX RECOGNIZED IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Income tax on items recognized in other comprehensive income in 2021 and 2020 were as follows: 

Deferred tax  (benefit) expense on actuarial losses on employee benefit obligations

Deferred tax expense (benefit) on cash flow hedges

Total income tax (benefit) expense recognized in other comprehensive income

INCOME TAX RECOGNIZED IN EQUITY
Income tax on items recognized in equity in 2021 and 2020 were as follows: 

Excess tax benefit that results from the excess of the deductible amount over the stock-

based compensation recognized in net earnings

Total income tax benefit recognized in equity

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2021

(41.3)  $ 

15.5   

(25.8)  $ 

2021

(1.0)  $ 

(1.0)  $ 

2020

799.3 

209.9 

5.7 

7.1 

(9.1) 

— 

3.8 

1.3 

(2.2) 
216.5 

2020

16.9 

(14.1) 

2.8 

2020

(2.2) 

(2.2) 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 15  INCOME TAXES (CONT'D)

CURRENT TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Income taxes receivable

Income taxes payable

Income taxes payable (net)

$ 

$ 

2021

34.7  $ 

(54.2)   

(19.5)  $ 

2020

50.3 

(51.4) 

(1.1) 

DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
The deferred income taxes are presented as follows on the consolidated statements of financial position, as at March 
31:

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities (net)

The movement of deferred tax assets and liabilities are shown below:

$ 

$ 

2021

13.7  $ 

(753.2)   

(739.5)  $ 

2020

50.7 

(759.6) 

(708.9) 

Accounts 
payable 
and 
accrued 
liabilities

Income tax 
losses

Net assets 
of pension 

plans Inventories

Property, 
plant and 
equipment

Other

Net 
deferred 
tax 
liabilities

For the year ended March 31, 2021

Balance, beginning of the year $ 

68.0  $ 

42.3  $ 

(62.6)  $ 

(5.0)  $ 

(337.0)  $ 

(414.6)  $ 

(708.9) 

Charged/credited to net 

earnings

Charged/credited to other 
comprehensive income

Acquisitions

Translation and other

(19.3)   

(3.8)   

(1.0)   

(0.7)   

(21.8)   

(20.4)   

(67.0) 

—   

3.5   

0.4   

—   

—   

(0.4)   

41.3   

—   

0.5   

—   

—   

0.6   

—   

1.0   

(17.3)   

(15.5)   

(3.0)   

25.3   

25.8 

1.5 

9.1 

Balance, end of the year

$ 

52.6  $ 

38.1  $ 

(21.8)  $ 

(5.1)  $ 

(375.1)  $ 

(428.2)  $ 

(739.5) 

Accounts 
payable and 
accrued 
liabilities

Income tax 
losses

Net assets 
of pension 
plans

Inventories

Property, 
plant and 
equipment

Net deferred 
tax liabilities

Other

For the year ended March 31, 2020

Balance, beginning of the year $ 

58.1  $ 

1.1  $ 

9.3  $ 

1.2  $ 

(274.8)  $ 

(246.2)  $ 

(451.3) 

Charged/credited to net 

earnings

Charged/credited to other 
comprehensive income

Acquisitions

Translation and other

8.4   

11.2   

(6.9)   

3.0   

(43.1)   

(44.0)   

(71.4) 

—   

3.6   

(2.1)   

—   

29.7   

0.3   

(16.9)   

(48.1)   

—   

—   

(8.7)   

(0.5)   

—   

(6.4)   

(12.7)   

14.1   

(122.9)   

(15.6)   

(2.8) 

(152.8) 

(30.6) 

Balance, end of the year

$ 

68.0  $ 

42.3  $ 

(62.6)  $ 

(5.0)  $ 

(337.0)  $ 

(414.6)  $ 

(708.9) 

As at March 31, 2021, the Company had $275.5 million in capital losses for which no deferred tax assets had been 
recognized.  These  capital  losses  can  be  carried  forward  indefinitely  but  can  only  be  used  against  future  taxable 
capital gains. 

In the March 2021 United Kingdom Budget, it was announced that legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2021 to 
increase the main rate of corporation tax from 19% to 25%, effective April 1, 2023. As substantive enactment will be 
after March 31, 2021, the rate increase is not yet reflected in these consolidated financial statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 16  NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

Net earnings

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

Dilutive options

Weighted average diluted number of common shares outstanding

Basic net earnings per share

Diluted net earnings per share

For the years
ended March 31

2021

625.6  $ 

2020

582.8 

409,854,735   

400,328,334 

1,530,666   

2,121,698 

411,385,401   

402,450,032 

1.53  $ 

1.52  $ 

1.46 

1.45 

$ 

$ 

$ 

When  calculating  diluted  net  earnings  per  share  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2021,  14,951,292  options  were 
excluded from the calculation because their exercise price is higher than the average market value of common shares 
(13,762,608 options, were excluded for the year ended March 31, 2020). 

NOTE 17  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In the normal course of business, the Company uses various financial instruments which by their nature involve risk, 
including  credit  risk,  liquidity  risk,  interest  rate  risk,  foreign  exchange  risk  and  price  risk  (including  commodity  price 
risk). These financial instruments are subject to normal credit conditions, financial controls and risk management and 
monitoring strategies. 

Occasionally, the Company may enter into derivative financial instrument transactions in order to mitigate or hedge 
risks  in  accordance  with  risk  management  strategies.  The  Company  does  not  enter  into  these  arrangements  for 
speculative purposes.

CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash equivalents 
and receivables.

Cash equivalents consist mainly of short-term investments. The Company has deposited these cash equivalents  in 
reputable financial institutions.

The  Company  also  offers  credit  to  its  customers  in  the  normal  course  of  business  for  trade  receivables.  Credit 
valuations are performed on a regular basis and reported results take into account expected credit losses.

Due to its large and diverse customer base and its geographic diversity, the Company has low exposure to credit risk 
concentration  with  respect  to  customers'  receivables.  There  are  no  receivables  from  any  individual  customer  that 
exceeded  10%  of  the  total  balance  of  receivables  as  at  March  31,  2021,  and  March  31,  2020.  No  customer 
represented more than 10% of total consolidated revenues for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021, and March 31, 
2020.

Allowances for expected credit loss are reviewed by Management at each financial position date and the estimate of 
the allowance for expected credit loss is updated based on the evaluation of the recoverability of trade receivables 
with each customer base, taking into account historical collection trends of past due accounts and current economic 
conditions.  The  accounts  receivable  from  our  export  sales  benefit  from  payment  terms  that  are  longer  than  our 
standard  payment  terms  applicable  to  domestic  sales.  The  Company  considers  a  financial  asset  in  default  when 
contractual  payments  are  considered  past  due  and  at  risk  depending  on  the  various  economic  and  asset-specific 
factors, or if it becomes probable that a customer will enter bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings.

The  amount  of  the  allowance  for  expected  credit  loss  is  sufficient  to  cover  the  carrying  amount  of  receivables 
considered past due and at risk. The amount of the loss is recognized in the consolidated income statements within 
operating costs. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against operating costs in the 
consolidated income statements. These allowances are not significant for the year ended March 31, 2021.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 81

 
 
 
NOTE 17  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONT'D)

LIQUIDITY RISK
Liquidity  risk  is  the  risk  that  the  Company  will  not  be  able  to  meet  its  financial  obligations  as  they  fall  due.  The 
Company manages liquidity risk through the management of its capital structure and financial leverage, as outlined in 
Note 22 relating to capital disclosures. It also manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring actual and projected 
cash flows. The Board of Directors reviews and approves the Company’s operating and capital budgets, as well as 
any material transactions out of the normal course of business.

Contractual  maturities  for  the  significant  financial  liabilities  as  at March  31,  2021,  are  as  follows:  accounts  payable 
and  accrued  liabilities,  bank  loans,  lease  liabilities  and  long-term  debt. All  items  included  in  accounts  payable  and 
accrued liabilities are less than one year. For maturities on bank loans, lease liabilities and the long-term debt, please 
refer to Note 10, Note 7, and Note 11, respectively.

INTEREST RATE RISK
The Company is exposed to interest rate risks through its financial obligations that bear variable interest rates. Bank 
loans and unsecured bank term loans facilities bear interest at fluctuating rates and thereby expose the Company to 
interest rate risk on cash flows associated to interest payments. The senior notes bear interest at fixed rates and, as a 
result, no interest rate risk exists on these cash flows.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the interest expense on long-term debt totalled $78.7 million ($95.6 million 
in fiscal 2020). The interest accrued as at March 31, 2021, was $18.9 million ($13.2 million as at March 31, 2020). 

As  at  March  31,  2021,  the  net  amount  exposed  to  short-term  rates  fluctuations  was  approximately  $610.4  million. 
Based  on  this  exposure,  an  assumed  1%  increase  in  the  interest  rate  would  have  an  unfavourable  impact  of 
approximately $4.5 million on net earnings with an equal but opposite effect for an assumed 1% decrease.

Furthermore,  in  response  to  the  upcoming  IBOR  reform  describe  in  note  3,  the  Company  is  closely  monitoring  the 
market and the output from the various industry working groups managing the transition to new benchmark interest 
rates.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK
The  Company  operates  internationally  and  is  exposed  to  foreign  exchange  risk  resulting  from  various  foreign 
currency transactions. Foreign exchange transaction risk arises primarily from future commercial transactions that are 
denominated  in  a  currency  that  is  not  the  functional  currency  of  the  Company’s  business  unit  that  is  party  to  the 
transaction,  as  well  as  the  unsecured  bank  term  loan  facilities  that  can  be  drawn  in  US  dollars, Australian  dollars, 
Argentine Peso, British pounds sterling, and Japanese Yen.

The Company enters into forward exchange contracts to sell US dollars and buy Australian dollars in order to mitigate 
market fluctuations in the USD/AUD exchange rates on receivables. During the fiscal year, the cash flow hedges were 
highly  effective  and  accordingly,  the  Company  recognized  an  unrealized  gain  of  $46.2  million  (net  of  tax  of 
$19.0  million)  in  other  comprehensive  income  as  a  result. A  gain  of  $24.7  million  (net  of  tax  of  $10.6  million)  was 
reclassified to net earnings during fiscal 2021 related to these forward exchange contracts. These cash flow hedges 
were  also  deemed  to  be  highly  effective  during  fiscal  2020,  and  an  unrealized  loss  of  $30.6  million  (net  of  tax  of 
$11.9 million), was recorded in other comprehensive income. A loss of $13.0 million (net of tax of $5.0 million) was 
reclassified to net earnings during fiscal 2020 related to these forward exchange contracts.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 82

NOTE 17  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (CONT'D)

The Company’s largest exposure comes from the  US  dollar fluctuations. The following table details the Company’s 
sensitivity  to  a  $0.10  weakening  against  the  US  dollar  on  net  earnings  and  comprehensive  income.  For  a  $0.10 
appreciation against the US dollar, there would be an equal and opposite impact on net earnings and comprehensive 
income.

Change in net earnings

Change in comprehensive income

$ 

$ 

2021

15.1  $ 

277.2  $ 

2020

18.5 

455.8 

COMMODITY PRICE RISK
In  certain  instances,  the  Company  enters  into  futures  contracts  to  hedge  against  fluctuations  in  the  price  of 
commodities. The Company applies hedge accounting for certain of these transactions. During the fiscal year, these 
hedges (designated as cash flow hedges) were highly effective and accordingly, an unrealized loss of $0.4 million (net 
of tax of $0.2 million) was recorded in other comprehensive income. A loss of $20.5 million (net of tax of $7.2 million) 
was  reclassified  to  net  earnings  during  fiscal  2021  when  the  related  inventory  was  ultimately  sold.  These  hedges 
were also assessed to be highly effective during fiscal 2020 and accordingly, an unrealized loss of $25.7 million (net 
of tax of $9.0 million) was recorded in other comprehensive income.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The  Company  determined  that  the  fair  value  of  certain  of  its  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  with  short-term 
maturities  approximates  their  carrying  value.  These  financial  instruments  include  cash  and  cash  equivalents, 
receivables,  bank  loans,  accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities.  The  table  below  presents  the  fair  value  and  the 
carrying value of other financial instruments as at March 31, 2021, and March 31, 2020. Since estimates are used to 
determine fair value, they must not be interpreted as being realizable in the event of a settlement of the instruments.

Cash flow hedges

Commodity derivatives (Level 2)

$ 

Foreign exchange derivatives (Level 2)

Derivatives not designated in a formal hedging 

relationship

Equity forward contracts (Level 2)

Commodity derivatives (Level 2)

Foreign exchange derivatives (Level 2)

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Fair value

Carrying value

Fair value

Carrying value

1.5  $ 

(6.1)   

4.9   

1.1   

(0.1)   

1.5  $ 

(6.1)   

(28.7)  $ 

(9.1)   

4.9   

1.1   

(0.1)   

(7.4)   

(10.1)   

—   

(28.7) 

(9.1) 

(7.4) 

(10.1) 

— 

Long-term debt (Level 2)

3,625.9   

3,577.8   

3,505.7   

3,542.3 

For the years ended March 31, 2021, and 2020, there were no changes in valuation techniques and in inputs used in 
the fair value measurements and there were no transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy.

Fair values of other assets, long-term debt and derivative financial instruments are determined using discounted cash 
flow  models  based  on  market  inputs  prevailing  at  the  financial  position  date  and  are  also  obtained  from  financial 
institutions. Where applicable, these models use market-based observable inputs including interest-rate-yield curves, 
volatility of certain prices or rates and credit spreads. If market based observable inputs are not available, judgment is 
used  to  develop  assumptions  used  to  determine  fair  values.  The  fair  value  estimates  are  significantly  affected  by 
assumptions  including  the  amount  and  timing  of  estimated  future  cash  flows  and  discount  rates.  The  Company’s 
derivatives transactions are accounted for on a fair value basis which is based on the amount at which they could be 
settled based on estimated current market rates.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 83

 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 18  BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

LION DAIRY & DRINKS PTY LTD
On  October  28,  2019,  the  Company  acquired  the  specialty  cheese  business  of  Lion  Dairy  &  Drinks  Pty  Ltd  (the 
Specialty Cheese Business). The Specialty Cheese Business is conducted at two manufacturing facilities located in 
Burnie and King Island, Tasmania (Australia) and employs approximately 400 people. The Specialty Cheese Business 
produces, markets and distributes a variety of specialty cheeses under a wide portfolio of Australian brands, including 
Australian Gold, King Island Dairy, Mersey Valley, South Cape and Tasmanian Heritage.

The purchase price of $248.3 million (AU$278.1 million), on a cash-free and debt-free basis, was paid in cash from 
cash  on  hand  and  available  credit  facilities.  In  connection  with  this  acquisition,  the  Company  incurred  acquisition-
related costs of approximately $9 million in fiscal 2020, mainly comprised of stamp duty taxes.

DAIRY CREST GROUP PLC
On April 15, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of Dairy Crest Group plc (Dairy Crest), based in the United 
Kingdom. Dairy Crest manufactures and markets cheese, butter, spreads, oils and value-added dairy ingredients. The 
acquisition enables Saputo to enter the UK market.

The  total  consideration  of  $2.122  billion  (£1.218  billion),  was  financed  through  a  term  loan  facility  (Note  10)  and 
available cash. This consideration includes the purchase price for the entire issued ordinary share capital of $1.695 
billion  (£973.1  million)  and  $426.8  million  (£245.1  million)  of  assumed  debt.  In  connection  with  this  acquisition,  the 
Company  incurred  acquisition-related  costs  of  approximately  $23  million  recorded  in  fiscal  2020,  which  included 
approximately $9 million in stamp duty taxes.

The  Company  recorded  charges  of  $40.1  million  during  fiscal  2020  related  to  the  non-cash  fair  value  inventory 
adjustment as part of the Dairy Crest Acquisition purchase price allocation. 

Other assets relating to the Dairy Crest Acquisition listed below are comprised of the acquired net pension surplus of 
$283.1 million (£162.6 million) on the acquisition date. As at April 15, 2019, the fair value of plan assets and defined 
benefit pension plan obligations were $2.031 billion (£1.166 billion) and $1.748 billion (£1.004 billion), respectively. 

The plan assets are composed mainly of bonds and cash. The value of the defined benefit pension plan obligations 
was calculated using a discount rate of 2.6%. 

Recognized  goodwill  reflects  the  value  assigned  to  the  European  platform  enabling  growth  and  an  assembled 
workforce within the Dairy Division (UK) CGU.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 84

NOTE 18  BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS CONT'D

The allocation of each purchase price is presented below. 

Assets acquired

Cash

Dairy Crest

$ 

7.0  $ 

Receivables

Inventories

Income taxes receivable

Prepaid expenses and other assets

Property, plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Goodwill

Intangible assets

Other assets

Deferred income taxes

Liabilities assumed

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Lease liabilities

Other liabilities

Long-term debt

Deferred income taxes

54.6   

369.4   

1.5   

12.1   

369.1   

73.4   

541.5   

802.8   

283.1   

—   

(151.7)   

(70.4)   

(8.3)   

(436.6)   

(152.8)   

Specialty 
Cheese 
Business

13.0  $ 

37.1   

45.7   

—   

0.4   

175.7   

—   

—   

9.6   

2.6   

1.5   

(25.0)   

—   

(12.3)   

—   

—   

Total

20.0 

91.7 

415.1 

1.5 

12.5 

544.8 

73.4 

541.5 

812.4 

285.7 

1.5 

(176.7) 

(70.4) 

(20.6) 

(436.6) 

(152.8) 

Net assets acquired

$ 

1,694.7  $ 

248.3  $ 

1,943.0 

NOTE 19  EMPLOYEE POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The Company sponsors various post-employment benefit plans. These include both defined contribution and defined 
benefit pension plans, and other post-employment benefit plans. 

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS 
The Company offers and participates in defined contribution pension plans of which 99% of its active employees are 
members. The net pension expense under these types of plans is generally equal to the contributions made by the 
employer  and  constitutes  an  expense  for  the  year  in  which  they  are  due.  For  fiscal  2021,  the  defined  contribution 
expenses  for  the  Company  amounted  to  $76.5  million  ($71.7  million  in  fiscal  2020).  The  Company  expects  to 
contribute approximately $78.8 million to its defined contribution plans for fiscal 2022. 

DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS 
The Company offers and participates in defined benefit pension plans in which the remaining active employees are 
members.  Under  the  terms  of  the  defined  benefit  pension  plans,  pensions  are  based  on  years  of  service  and  the 
retirement benefits are up to 2% of the average eligible earnings of the last employment years multiplied by years of 
credited service. 

There  are  no  active  employees  in  the  Dairy  Division  (UK)  Defined  Benefit  Pension  Fund,  which  is  a  final  salary 
scheme in the UK that was closed to future service accrual from April 1, 2010 and had been closed to new joiners 
from June 30, 2006. The Fund is administered by a corporate trustee which is legally separate from the Company; the 
directors  of  the  corporate  trustee  comprise  representatives  of  both  the  employer  and  employees  as  well  as  a 
professional  trustee.  The  corporate  trustee  is  responsible  for  the  day  to  day  administration  of  the  benefits  and  the 
Investment Policy.

The  registered  pension  plans  must  comply  with  statutory  funding  requirements  in  the  jurisdiction  in  which  they  are 
registered.  Funding  valuations  are  required  on  an  annual  or  triennial  basis,  depending  on  the  jurisdiction,  and 
employer contributions must include amortization payments for any deficit, over a period of 5 to 15 years. Contribution 
holidays  are  allowed  and  subject  to  certain  thresholds.  Other  non-registered  pension  plans  and  benefits  other  than 
pension are not subject to any minimum funding requirements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 19  EMPLOYEE POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONT'D)

The  cost  of  pension  benefits  earned  by  employees  is  actuarially  determined  using  the  projected  unit  credit  method 
and using a discount rate based on high quality corporate bonds and Management’s assumptions bearing on, among 
other  things,  rates  of  compensation  increase  and  retirement  age  of  employees.  All  of  these  estimates  and 
assessments  are  formulated  with  the  help  of  external  consultants.  The  plan  assets  and  benefit  obligations  were 
valued  as  at  March  31  with  the  assistance  of  the  Company’s  external  actuaries.  The  Company  also  offers 
complementary  retirement  benefits  programs,  such  as  health  insurance,  life  insurance  and  dental  plans  to  eligible 
employees  and  retired  employees.  The  Company  expects  to  contribute  approximately  $3.6  million  to  its  defined 
benefit plans in fiscal 2022. 

The principal risks associated with the Company's defined benefit pension plans are as follows:

Investment risk 
The  respective  present  values  of  the  defined  benefit  plans’  obligations  are  calculated  using  a  discount  rate 
determined  with  reference  to  high-quality  corporate  bond  yields;  if  assets  underperform  this  yield,  this  will  create  a 
deficit. 

Changes in Bond Yields 
A decrease in the corporate bond yields will increase the value of the defined benefit plans’ liabilities although this will 
be partially offset by an increase in the value of the defined benefit plans’ debt securities holdings.

Inflation Risk 
A significant portion of the defined benefit plans’ obligations are linked to inflation, and higher expected future inflation 
will lead to higher liabilities. The majority of the assets are either unaffected by or only loosely correlated with inflation, 
meaning that an increase in expected future inflation will also increase the deficit.

Longevity Risk 
The majority of the defined benefit plans’ obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the member; increases in life 
expectancy of plan participants will result in an increase in liabilities.

The Company’s net surplus (liability) for defined benefit pension plans comprises the following:

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Dairy Division 
(UK)  Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other Plans

Total

Dairy  Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other Plans

Total

Fair value of assets

$ 

2,080.4   

68.3   

2,148.7  $ 

2,114.5   

63.7   

2,178.2 

Present value of funded 

obligations

Present value of net surplus 
(obligations) for funded 
plans

Present value of unfunded 

obligations

Present value of net surplus 

(obligations)

Asset ceiling test

Accrued pension/benefit cost $ 

1,902.9   

73.5   

1,976.4   

1,733.3   

66.3   

1,799.6 

177.5   

(5.2)   

172.3   

381.2   

(2.6)   

378.6 

—   

(37.5)   

(37.5)   

—   

(34.0)   

(34.0) 

177.5   

—   

177.5   

(42.7)   

(0.2)   

(42.9)   

134.8   

(0.2)   

134.6  $ 

381.2   

—   

381.2   

(36.6)   

(0.3)   

(36.9)   

344.6 

(0.3) 

344.3 

Presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

Other Assets (Note 9)

Other Liabilities (Note 12)

Total net surplus (liability)

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

$ 

$ 

177.5  $ 

(42.9)   

134.6  $ 

381.2 

(36.9) 

344.3 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 86

 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 19  EMPLOYEE POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONT'D)

The changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligations are as follows:

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Dairy Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other Plans

Total

Dairy Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other Plans

Total

Defined benefit obligation, 

beginning of year

$ 

1,733.3   

100.3   

1,833.6  $ 

—   

102.1   

102.1 

Dairy Crest Acquisition (Note 

18)

Current service costs

Interest cost

Actuarial (gains) losses due 
to change in experience

Actuarial (gains) losses due 
to changes in financial 
assumptions

Actuarial losses due to 

changes in demographic 
assumptions

Exchange differences

Benefits paid

Defined benefit obligation, 

—   

—   

38.5   

—   

5.5   

3.6   

—   

5.5   

42.1   

1,747.7   

—   

41.4   

(17.2)   

3.6   

(13.6)   

(5.4)   

—   

5.8   

3.3   

0.4   

1,747.7 

5.8 

44.7 

(5.0) 

235.8   

9.9   

245.7   

17.7   

(7.1)   

10.6 

—   

(13.4)   

(74.1)   

(0.2)   

(1.4)   

(10.3)   

(0.2)   

(14.8)   

(84.4)   

—   

4.2   

(72.3)   

—   

0.5   

(4.7)   

— 

4.7 

(77.0) 

end of year

$ 

1,902.9   

111.0   

2,013.9  $ 

1,733.3   

100.3   

1,833.6 

The changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Dairy Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other Plans

Total

Dairy Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other Plans

Fair value of plan assets, 

beginning of year

$ 

2,114.5   

63.7   

2,178.2  $ 

—   

66.3   

Total

66.3 

Dairy Crest Acquisition (Note 

18)

Interest income on plan 

assets

Return on plan assets, 

excluding interest income  

Administration costs

Contributions by employer

Exchange differences

Benefits paid

Fair value of plan assets, 

—   

—   

—   

2,030.8   

—   

2,030.8 

47.1   

2.4   

49.5   

48.1   

2.2   

50.3 

11.9   

(1.2)   

—   

(17.8)   

(74.1)   

4.5   

(0.2)   

8.1   

0.1   

(10.3)   

16.4   

(1.4)   

8.1   

(17.7)   

(84.4)   

93.1   

(1.4)   

11.3   

4.9   

(72.3)   

(4.3)   

(0.2)   

4.4   

—   

(4.7)   

88.8 

(1.6) 

15.7 

4.9 

(77.0) 

end of year

$ 

2,080.4   

68.3   

2,148.7  $ 

2,114.5   

63.7   

2,178.2 

For fiscal 2021, actual return on plan assets amounted to a gain of $64.5 million ($137.5 million in fiscal 2020).

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 19  EMPLOYEE POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONT'D)

The fair value of plan assets, which does not include assets of the Company, consist of the following (all assets have 
a  quoted  market  value  in  an  active  market  with  the  exception  of  annuity  contract  and  property  and  other,  which  is 
valued based on the corresponding liability, and cash). 

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Dairy Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other Plans

Total

Dairy Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other Plans

Total

Bonds, LDI and cash¹

$ 

1,387.6   

51.1   

1,438.7  $ 

1,431.5   

49.0   

1,480.5 

Annuity contract

Property and other

Equity Instruments

Total
1 

420.3   

272.5   

—   

$ 

2,080.4   

—   

—   

17.2   

68.3   

420.3   

272.5   

17.2   

422.9   

260.1   

—   

2,148.7  $ 

2,114.5   

—   

—   

14.7   

63.7   

422.9 

260.1 

14.7 

2,178.2 

The  Liability  Driven  Investment  ('LDI')  portfolio  is  managed  by  an  external  party.  The  objective  is  to  hedge  a  proportion  of  the  Fund's  liabilities 
against  changes  in  interest  rates  and  inflation  expectations  by  investing  in  assets  that  are  similarly  sensitive  to  changes  in  interest  rates  and 
inflation expectations. Market yields are monitored against a number of pre-set yield triggers; the level of hedging will be increased as and when 
triggers are met.

The Consolidated Income Statements include the following: 

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Dairy Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other Plans

Total

Dairy Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other Plans

Total

Recognized in “Operating 

costs” (Note 5):

Employer current service 

cost

$ 

Administration costs

Recognized in “Financial 
charges” (Note 14):

Interest costs

Interest income on plan 

assets

Net defined benefits plans 

—   

1.2   

1.2   

5.5   

0.2   

5.7   

5.5  $ 

1.4   

6.9   

—   

1.4   

1.4   

5.8   

0.2   

6.0   

5.8 

1.6 

7.4 

38.5   

3.6   

42.1   

41.4   

3.3   

44.7 

expense  

$ 

(7.4)   

6.9   

(0.5)  $ 

(5.3)   

(47.1)   

(8.6)   

(2.4)   

1.2   

(49.5)   

(7.4)   

(48.1)   

(6.7)   

(2.2)   

1.1   

7.1   

(50.3) 

(5.6) 

1.8 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 19  EMPLOYEE POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONT'D)

The Company recognizes actuarial gains and losses in the period in which they occur, for all its defined benefit plans. 
These actuarial gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income and are presented below:

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Dairy Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Other 
Plans

Dairy Division 
(UK) Defined 
Benefit 
Pension Fund

Total

$ 

11.9   

4.5   

16.4  $ 

93.1   

17.2   

(3.6)   

13.6   

5.4   

Other Plans

Total

(4.3)   

(0.4)   

88.8 

5.0 

—   

0.2   

0.2   

—   

—   

— 

(235.8)   

(9.9)   

(245.7)   

(17.7)   

—   

0.2   

0.2   

—   

$ 

(206.7)   

(8.6)   

(215.3)  $ 

80.8   

7.1   

0.6   

3.0   

(10.6) 

0.6 

83.8 

Return on plan assets 
(excluding interest 
income)

Actuarial gains (losses) due 
to change in experience

Actuarial gains due to 

changes in demographic 
assumptions

Actuarial gains (losses) due 
to changes in financial 
assumptions

Effect of the asset ceiling 

test

Amount recognized in other 
comprehensive income

Weighted average assumptions used in computing the benefit obligations at the financial position date are as follows: 

Discount rate

Duration of the obligation

Inflation Rate

Future salary increases
Mortality table

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Dairy Division (UK) 
Defined Benefit 
Pension Fund

 2.10 %

18.00 

 2.50 %

Other Plans

 3.21 %

17.30 

 2.00 %

Dairy Division (UK) 
Defined Benefit 
Pension Fund

 2.30 %

18.00 

 1.80 %

Other Plans

 3.83 %

17.68 

 2.00 %

n/a
S2P base tables 
with the following 
scaling factors:
Pens (M/F):
109%/103%
Defs (M/F):
110%/99%

 3.0 %
2014 Private Sector 
Canadian 
Pensioners 
Mortality Table, 
projected 
generationally 
using Scale 
MI-2017

n/a
S2P base tables with 
the following scaling 
factors: Pens (M/F): 
109%/103%
Defs (M/F):
110%/99%

 3.0 %
2014 Private 
Sector Canadian 
Pensioners’ Mortality 
Table, projected 
generationally 
using Scale 
MI-2017

It  has  been  assumed  that  the  Dairy  Division  (UK)  Defined  Benefit  Pension  Fund  members  exchange  25%  of  their 
pension for a cash lump sum at retirement, on terms 8% lower than the funding basis. 30% of deferred members are 
assumed to take a pension increase exchange option at retirement which is available under the Fund. 

SENSITIVITY TO CHANGES IN ASSUMPTIONS 
The impact of an increase (decrease) of 0.1% of the discount rate would be a decrease of $35.5 million of the amount 
of the obligation (increase of $36.0 million). A one-year increase in life expectancy would increase the obligation by 
approximately $98.8 million. Specifically, for the Dairy Division (UK) Defined Benefit Pension Fund, the impact of an 
increase  of  0.1%  of  the  inflation  rate  would  be  an  increase  of  approximately  $30.1  million  of  the  amount  of  the 
obligation. Specifically pertaining to the Other plans, an increase of 0.1% of the percentage of future salary increases 
would be an increase of approximately $0.5 million of the amount of the obligation.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 20  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS
The  table  and  paragraphs  below  present  the  future  minimum  payments  for  contractual  commitments  that  are  not 
recognized as liabilities for the next fiscal years:

Less than 1 year

1-2 years

2-3 years

3-4 years

4-5 years

More than 5 years

$ 

$ 

Leases¹

Purchase obligations2

5.6  $ 

7.7   

2.6   

1.5   

0.7   

1.5   

19.6  $ 

163.8  $ 

33.0   

12.2   

9.7   

7.2   

8.4   

234.3  $ 

Total

169.4 

40.7 

14.8 

11.2 

7.9 

9.9 

253.9 

1  Commitments related to leases represent short-term and low-value leases that do not meet the definition of a lease under IFRS 16
2  Purchase obligations are the contractual obligations for capital expenditures and service agreements to which the Company is committed. 

CLAIMS 
The Company is a defendant to certain claims arising from the normal course of its business. The Company is also a 
defendant in certain claims and/or assessments from tax authorities in various jurisdictions. The Company believes 
that the final resolution of these claims and/or assessments will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated 
income statements or consolidated statement of financial position.

INDEMNIFICATIONS
The  Company  from  time  to  time  offers  indemnifications  to  third  parties  in  the  normal  course  of  its  business,  in 
connection with business or asset acquisitions or disposals. These indemnification provisions may be in connection 
with  breach  of  representations  and  warranties,  and  for  future  claims  for  certain  liabilities.  The  terms  of  these 
indemnification  provisions  vary  in  duration.  At  March  31,  2021,  given  that  the  nature  and  amount  of  such 
indemnifications  depend  on  future  events,  the  Company  is  unable  to  reasonably  estimate  its  maximum  potential 
liability under these agreements. The Company has not made any significant indemnification payments in the past, 
and as at March 31, 2021, and March 31, 2020, the Company had not recorded any significant liabilities associated 
with these indemnifications.

LETTERS OF CREDIT
As at March 31, 2021, the Company had issued letters of credit in an aggregate amount of $68.5 million pursuant to a 
banking facility authorizing the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount of $110.8 million (as at March 31, 
2020, the Company had issued letters of credit in an aggregate amount of $63.2 million pursuant to a banking facility 
authorizing the issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount of $110.1 million). 

NOTE 21  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company receives services from and provides goods and services to companies subject to control or significant 
influence  through  ownership  by  its  principal  shareholder.  These  transactions,  which  are  not  significant  to  the 
Company’s financial position or financial results, are made in the normal course of business and are entered into and 
have  been  recorded  at  fair  value,  consistent  with  market  values  for  similar  transactions.  The  services  that  are 
received consist mainly of travel, publicity, lodging and office space rental. The goods that are provided consist mainly 
of dairy products. The services that are provided consist of management services.

Transactions with key management personnel (short-term employee benefits, post-employment benefits, stock-based 
compensation  and  payments  under  the  DSU  plan)  are  also  considered  related  party  transactions.  Management 
defines key management personnel as all the executive officers who have responsibility and authority for controlling, 
overseeing and planning the activities of the Company, as well as the Company’s directors.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 90

 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 21  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONT'D)

Transactions with related parties are as follows: 

Entities subject to control or significant influence through ownership by its principal 

shareholder

Key management personnel

Directors

Executive officers

Dairy products provided by the Company were the following:

$ 

$ 

2021

3.9  $ 

2.8   

37.6   

44.3  $ 

2021

Entities subject to control or significant influence through ownership by its principal 

shareholder

$ 

0.4  $ 

2020

6.2 

2.5 

32.4 

41.1 

2020

0.3 

Outstanding receivables and accounts payable and accrued liabilities for the transactions above are the following:

Receivables

Accounts payable and accrued 
liabilities

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020 March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

Entities subject to control or significant influence 

through ownership by its principal shareholder

$ 

0.4  $ 

0.1  $ 

—  $ 

Key management personnel

Directors

Executive officers

—   

—   

0.4  $ 

—   

—   

0.1  $ 

17.7   

47.4   

65.1  $ 

$ 

0.2 

13.7 

39.7 

53.6 

The amounts payable to the Directors consist entirely of balances payable under the Company’s DSU plan. Refer to 
Note  13  for  further  details.  The  amounts  payable  to  executive  officers  consist  of  short-term  employee  incentives, 
share-based awards, and post-retirement benefits.

KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COMPENSATION
The  compensation  expense  for  transactions  with  the  Company’s  key  management  personnel  consists  of  the 
following:

Directors

Cash-settled payments

Stock-based compensation

Executive officers

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Stock-based compensation

Total compensation

2021

2020

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

0.6  $ 

2.2   

2.8  $ 

18.0  $ 

5.9   

13.7   

37.6  $ 

40.4  $ 

0.4 

2.1 

2.5 

16.4 

3.1 

12.9 

32.4 

34.9 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 21  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONT'D)

SUBSIDIARIES
All  the  Company’s  subsidiaries  are  wholly  owned. The  following  information  summarizes  the  Company’s  significant 
subsidiaries  which  produce  a  wide  array  of  dairy  products  including  cheese,  fluid  milk,  extended  shelf-life  milk  and 
cream products, cultured products, and dairy ingredients: 

Saputo Dairy Products Canada G.P.

Saputo Cheese USA Inc.

Saputo Dairy Foods USA, LLC

Saputo Dairy Australia Pty Ltd

Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Company Holdings Ltd

The King Island Company Pty Ltd

Molfino Hermanos S.A.

Dairy Crest Ltd

NOTE 22  CAPITAL DISCLOSURES

Percentage Owned

Location

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

Canada

USA

USA

Australia

Australia

Australia

Argentina

UK

The  Company’s  objective  in  managing  capital  is  to  ensure  sufficient  liquidity  to  pursue  its  growth  strategies  and 
undertake  selective  acquisitions,  while  at  the  same  time  taking  a  conservative  approach  towards  financial  leverage 
and management of financial risk. An additional objective includes a target for long-term leverage of 2.25 times net 
debt to Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment of intangible assets, inventory 
revaluation  resulting  from  a  business  acquisition,  and  acquisition  and  restructuring  costs.  From  time  to  time,  the 
Company  may  deviate  from  its  long-term  leverage  target  to  pursue  acquisitions  and  other  strategic  opportunities. 
Should such a scenario arise, the Company expects to deleverage over a reasonable period of time in order to seek 
to maintain its investment grade ratings. Also, the Company seeks to provide an adequate return to its shareholders. 
The Company believes that the purchases of its own shares may, under appropriate circumstances, be a responsible 
use of its capital. 

The Company’s capital is composed of net debt and equity. Net debt consists of long-term debt, lease liabilities and 
bank loans, net of cash and cash equivalents. The Company’s primary use of capital is to finance acquisitions and 
other growth initiatives.

The primary measure used by the Company to monitor its financial leverage is its ratio of net debt to earnings before 
interest,  income  taxes,  depreciation,  amortization,  impairment  of  intangible  assets,  inventory  revaluation  resulting 
from a business acquisition, and acquisition and restructuring costs. The net debt-to-Earnings before interest, income 
taxes,  depreciation,  amortization,  impairment  of  intangible  assets,  inventory  revaluation  resulting  from  a  business 
acquisition, and acquisition and restructuring costs ratios as at March 31, 2021, and March 31, 2020, are as follows:

Bank loans

Lease liabilities

Long-term debt, including current portion

Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment of intangible 
assets, inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition, and acquisition and 
restructuring costs

Net debt-to-earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment 
of intangible assets, inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition, and 
acquisition and restructuring costs

$ 

$ 

$ 

2021

75.6  $ 

461.0   

3,577.8   

(308.7)   

3,805.7  $ 

2020

528.5 

414.8 

3,542.3 

(319.4) 

4,166.2 

1,470.9  $ 

1,467.8 

2.59   

2.84 

The Company has existing credit facilities which require a quarterly review of financial ratios and the Company is not 
in violation of any such ratio covenants as at March 31, 2021.

The Company is not subject to capital requirements imposed by a regulator.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 92

 
 
 
 
NOTE 23  ACQUISITION AND RESTRUCTURING COSTS

Acquisition and restructuring costs are summarized as follows:

Restructuring costs

Acquisition costs

Total

$ 

$ 

2021

(6.2)  $ 

3.0   

(3.2)  $ 

2020

13.6 

32.4 

46.0 

RESTRUCTURING COSTS
Restructuring costs include a gain on disposal of assets of $6.2 million ($4.6 million after tax) relating to the sale of a 
facility in the Canada Sector, as compared to $13.6 million ($10.0 million after tax) in the previous year related to the 
announcement of two plant closures. Impairment charges to property, plant and equipment were recorded to reduce 
the carrying value of those assets to their estimated recoverable amount.

ACQUISITION COSTS
The  Company  incurred  acquisition  costs  of  $3.0  million  ($2.2  million  after  tax)  in  fiscal  2021  which  related  to 
additional  costs  from  a  previous  acquisition.  In  fiscal  2020,  acquisition  costs  incurred  in  connection  with  the  Dairy 
Crest Acquisition  and  the  Specialty  Cheese  Business Acquisition,  (Note  18)  were  $32.4  million  ($28.4  million  after 
tax). 

NOTE 24  SEGMENTED INFORMATION

The  Company  reports  under  four  geographic  sectors.  The  Canada  Sector  consists  of  the  Dairy  Division  (Canada). 
The  USA  Sector  consists  of  the  Dairy  Division  (USA).  During  the  second  quarter  of  fiscal  2021,  the  Company 
announced the merger into a single division of its two former USA divisions, the Cheese Division (USA) and the Dairy 
Foods Division (USA), now known as the Dairy Division (USA). The International Sector consists of the Dairy Division 
(Australia) and the Dairy Division (Argentina). The Europe Sector consists of the Dairy Division (UK).

These  reportable  sectors  are  managed  separately  as  each  sector  represents  a  strategic  business  unit  that  offers 
different products and serves different markets. The Company measures geographic and sector performance based 
on  earnings  before  interest,  income  taxes,  depreciation,  amortization,  impairment  of  intangible  assets,    inventory 
revaluation resulting from a business acquisition, and acquisition and restructuring costs.

The  divisions  within  the  International  Sector  have  been  combined  due  to  similarities  in  global  market  factors  and 
production processes. 

The accounting policies of the sectors are the same as those described in Note 3 relating to significant accounting 
policies.

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 93

 
NOTE 24  SEGMENTED INFORMATION CONT'D

INFORMATION ON REPORTABLE SECTORS

Years ended March 31

Revenues

Canada

USA
International1
Europe

Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment of 
intangible assets, inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition, 
and acquisition and restructuring costs

Canada

USA
International

Europe

Depreciation and amortization

Canada

USA

International

Europe

Impairment of intangible assets (Note 8)

Inventory revaluation resulting from a business acquisition

Acquisition and restructuring costs

Financial charges

Earnings before income taxes

Income taxes

Net earnings

For the years
ended March 31

2021

2020

$ 

4,134.9  $ 

6,121.8   

3,221.4   

815.8   

4,007.3 

7,093.6 

3,076.7 

765.9 

$ 

14,293.9  $ 

14,943.5 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

446.9  $ 

567.3   
305.0   

151.7   

404.4 

615.4 
304.9 

143.1 

1,470.9  $ 

1,467.8 

98.9  $ 

199.9   

111.7   

104.5   

515.0  $ 

19.0   

—   

(3.2)   

96.7   

843.4   

217.8   

625.6  $ 

91.9 

174.2 

107.8 

93.3 

467.2 

— 

40.1 

46.0 

115.2 

799.3 

216.5 

582.8 

1 

 Australia accounted for $2,528.9 million and $2,353.9 million of the International Sector revenues, while Argentina accounted for $692.5 million 
and $722.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 94

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 24  SEGMENTED INFORMATION CONT'D

MARKET SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company sells its products in three different market segments: retail, foodservice, and industrial. 

For the years ended March 31

Total

Canada

USA

International

Europe

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

Revenues
Retail
Foodservice
Industrial

$ 7,571.0  $ 7,360.2  $ 2,614.1  $ 2,345.9  $ 2,846.8  $ 3,074.0  $ 1,399.3  $ 1,306.5  $  710.8  $  633.8 
9.7 
203.8   
223.6   
  4,081.5    5,061.4    1,199.3    1,430.4    2,650.5    3,417.5   
122.4 
602.1    1,598.5    1,566.4   
  2,641.4    2,521.9   
765.9 
 14,293.9   14,943.5    4,134.9    4,007.3    6,121.8    7,093.6    3,221.4    3,076.7   

8.1   
96.9   
815.8   

624.5   

231.0   

321.5   

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Net book value of property, plant and equipment

Canada

USA

Australia

Argentina

United Kingdom

Net book value of intangible assets

Canada

USA

Australia

Argentina

United Kingdom

$ 

$ 

$ 

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2020

855.7  $ 

1,480.4   

962.9   

100.2   

378.1   

795.2 

1,664.1 

916.1 

106.4 

368.2 

3,777.3  $ 

3,850.0 

319.8  $ 

365.6   

117.0   

7.6   

706.8   

326.9 

444.3 

94.0 

10.5 

765.0 

1,640.7 

NOTE 25  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Acquisitions of Bute Island Foods Ltd. and of the Reedsburg facility

$ 

1,516.8  $ 

On  May  25,  2021,  the  Company  completed  the  acquisition  of  Bute  Island  Foods  Ltd.  based  in  Scotland  (United 
Kingdom). Bute Island Foods Ltd. is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of a variety of dairy alternative cheese 
products for both the retail and foodservice market segments under the vegan Sheese brand, alongside private label 
brands.  The  business  employs  approximately  180  people.  Additionally,  Saputo  acquired,  on  May  29,  2021,  the 
Reedsburg  facility  of  Wisconsin  Specialty  Protein,  LLC  (the  Reedsburg  Facility).  This  facility  located  in  Wisconsin 
(USA)  manufactures  value-added  ingredients  such  as  goat  whey,  organic  lactose  and  other  dairy  powders  and  it 
employs  approximately  40  people.  The  aggregate  purchase  price  for  these  acquisitions  totalled  approximately 
$187 million, and was paid in cash at closing from available credit facilities and cash on hand. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Page 95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021 Annual Report

DIVIDEND POLICY
Saputo Inc. declares quarterly cash dividends on 
common shares at $0.175 per share, representing 
a yearly dividend of $0.70 per share. The Board of 
Directors reviews our dividend policy at least once 
annually, based on factors such as financial condition, 
financial performance, and capital requirements.

DIVIDEND   
REINVEST MENT PLAN
Saputo provides eligible shareholders with the 
opportunity to have all or a portion of the cash 
dividends declared on their common shares 
automatically reinvested into additional Saputo 
common shares. For enrolment materials or to  
learn more about the DRIP, please visit:  
www.saputo.com/investor-toolkit/drip. 

CO RP O RATE   
HEAD QUARTERS 
Saputo Inc.
6869 Métropolitain Blvd. East
Montréal, QC Canada H1P 1X8
Telephone: 514-328-6662
www.saputo.com

AN NUAL M EE TI NG   
O F SH AREHO LDE RS
Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 10 a.m. (Eastern Time)  
Virtual-only format
https://web.lumiagm.com/486765661 

IN VESTO R REL ATI ONS
Telephone:  
1-514-328-3141 
1-866-648-5902
Email: investors@saputo.com 

ST O CK  EX CHANG E
Toronto Stock Exchange
Symbol: SAP

TRAN SFER  AGENT
Computershare Trust Company of Canada
1500 Robert-Bourassa Blvd., Suite 700
Montréal, QC Canada H3A 3S8
Telephone: 514-982-7888
Email: service@computershare.com 

Saputo.com

 
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